Air Force photograph by Jet FabaraBrig. Gen. Micheal T. Brewer, 412th Test Wing commander, speaks at the 412th TW change of command and Air Force Test Center redesignation ceremony July 13, 2012.
The hard work and dedication from the 412th Test Wing has resulted in a seemingly endless list of aviation milestones and accomplishments from the Air Force’s first jet-powered aircraft, the Bell XP-59 Airacomet, to the X-15, which reached altitudes above 300,000 feet and speeds beyond Mach 6. And today, F-35 and B-2 are revolutionizing stealth fighter and bomber capabilities.
The men and women of the 412th Test Wing have overseen the developmental test and evaluation processes for a substantial number of weapons systems and nearly every aircraft that currently or previously existed in the Air Force inventory.
It is a tradition of excellence that is much more than reaching milestones; it is dedication to providing the warfighter with the most advanced war-winning capabilities. That rich history is much more than something to be proud about – it’s an immense responsibility that is not to be taken lightly.
“We owe it to the men and women who engage the nation’s foes past, present and future, that they have the best equipment the nation can afford. Without this equipment you cannot achieve victory in modern warfare,” said Brig. Gen. Michael T. Brewer, 412th Test Wing commander.
For 68 years, the 412th TW and its lineage has continually developed, tested and delivered war-winning capabilities to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces and allies. The technology continues to save countless lives and directly impact the course of history.
“Men and women of the 412th Test Wing, it is not our objective to fight a fair fight, we should be, and I know you are, driven to ensure we provide our fighting forces the tools they need in order to dominate our enemies. This is our one wing’s mission.”
Brewer wants to remind his workforce that each and every day it is important to remember the real-world impact of the 412th TW’s vital mission and how everyone must work together as a team to be successful.
“We accomplish this by working together as a team. That’s going to take all of us,” said Brewer. “It’s going to take logistics, transportation, fuels, services, security, maintenance, test, personnel, finance, and medical. It’s going to take our military, civil servants; it’s going to take our contractors. It’s going to take everyone.”
With the current fiscal realities, there will undoubtedly be challenges ahead for the 412th, but with those challenges come unique opportunities for the men and women of the wing to demonstrate their incredible ingenuity and perseverance.
“As you all know, the current fiscal environment is tough. We’re certainly going to face challenges accomplishing our mission in this environment. But, this is what the nation needs us to do,” said Brewer. “We’ll take this on, head-on. We’ll find the efficiencies necessary to meet our mission requirements.”
Friends, parents, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, are fighting the nation’s fight and depend on the 412th TW’s ability to deliver war-winning and life-saving technologies from the latest munitions to cargo, medevac and remotely piloted aircraft capabilities.
For Brewer, it has always been important to be empowered, motivated and to have a purpose bigger than yourself. It’s a message he firmly believes in and wants to share with the test wing.
“Men and women of the 412th understand that because of you and your efforts, the Air Force is able to fly, fight and win both today and tomorrow,” he said. “Know that your job matters. You are responsible for nothing less than protecting the nation and freedom. Know that because of you, we will become more efficient. We will become more effective in providing the nation the tools her Armed Forces need. I look forward to working with you as we deliver the nation’s combat capability.”
