AFOTEC hosts cadets for summer research program

  • Published
  • By Katherine C. Gandara
  • Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. (AFNS) --  The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center is hosting the United States Air Force Academy's Cadet Summer Research Program for a second year at locations in California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada and Kirtland. 

During the program, cadets work on real-world Air Force projects during five-week sessions. This year, 13 cadets are working within AFOTEC during the May 15 to June 18 session.

"Cadets work as members of test and evaluation teams and gain exposure to the operational testing processes, products, and experiences by accomplishing important tasks as full-fledged members of operational test teams," said Maj. Gen. Steve Sargeant, AFOTEC commander. "The research projects the cadets are participating in leverage on-going test and evaluation of major Air Force warfighting capabilities and allow the cadets to be active members of the test teams working test design, execution and analysis."

The research program is a part of the AFOTEC/USAFA Mentoring Program, a joint effort between AFOTEC and the Academy that seeks to develop an understanding of the tasks, responsibilities and requirements many cadets find themselves facing upon graduation. The program provides AFOTEC personnel with experience in operations, acquisition and test and evaluation, creating a comprehensive mentoring program to assist USAFA cadets during both their academic and professional development. 

"Our mentoring program with USAFA cadets enables these future Air Force leaders to enter active duty with a better understanding and awareness of how the knowledge and skills they gain at the Academy will allow them to make a positive impact on delivering capabilities to warfighters expeditiously, allowing our Airmen to more effectively conduct their operations with less risk to themselves, and often our joint and coalition partners," General Sargeant said.

The idea for the AFOTEC/USAFA Mentoring Program grew from a meeting between General Sargeant and Brig. Gen. Dana Born, dean of faculty at the Academy, in October 2007 when they discussed ways to create opportunities to fulfill the secretary of the Air Force's desire to increase the cadets understanding of and excitement for engineering and scientific career field options available to them after commissioning. The generals agreed to pursue a collaborative mentoring program involving AFOTEC personnel with Academy cadets and faculty.

AFOTEC is a direct reporting unit under Headquarters, United States Air Force. It is the Air Force independent test agency responsible for testing new systems being developed for Air Force and multi-service use.