Air Force Research Laboratory celebrates 10 years

  • Published
  • By Susan M. Barone
  • 88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE --  While the Air Force turned 60 Sept. 18 this year, another Air Force organization celebrates its birthday--10 years in October. 

The Air Force Research Laboratory, known as the science and technology arm of the Air Force acquisition community, stood up as an organization under Air Force Materiel Command Oct. 31, 1997. 

AFRL is composed of nine directorates located throughout the United States and the Air Force Office of Scientific Research. 

"AFRL works to actualize the discovery, development and delivery of technological advancements that transform the Air Force's science and technology vision - to anticipate, find, fix, track, target, engage and assess ... anything, anytime and anywhere - into reality," said Maj. Gen. Ted Bowlds, AFRL commander. 

"Since 1997, AFRL has continued to ... build upon its S&T legacy by actively seeking new and better ways to provide revolutionary capabilities - technologies that address near-, mid- and far-term needs in air, space and cyberspace." 

Officials will celebrate the 10th anniversary with the annual fellows banquet, recognizing AFRL's most outstanding scientists and engineers. 

The AFRL Fellows Banquet will take place Sept. 27 at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force. Those honored during this premier event are as follows: 

--  H. Vernon Baker, of AFRL Space Vehicles Directorate
-- Dr. Timothy J. Bunning, of AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate
-- Edward Duff, of AFRL Directed Energy Directorate
-- Dr. Datta V. Gaitonde, of AFRL Air Vehicles Directorate
-- William E. Harrison III, of AFRL Propulsion Directorate
-- Dr. Kathleen M. Robinette, of AFRL Human Effectiveness Directorate
-- Dr. Stephen W. Schneider, of AFRL Sensors Directorate

These internationally and nationally recognized individuals are just some of the more than 3,400 scientists and engineers who make up AFRL's workforce of 9,500. According to Gen. Bowlds, these men and women maintain "a diversified technical expertise to help warfighters meet new global challenges and fulfill AFRL's commitment to the S&T vision."