KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center held a change of command ceremony August 14 at its Headquarters on Kirtland Air Force Base. Major General Michael R. Drowley assumed command of the Center from Major General Michael T. Rawls in a ceremony presided by General James C. Slife, Vice Chief of Staff of the Air Force.
General Drowley comes to his new command from Camp H.M. Smith, located just outside Honolulu, Hawaii., where he served as the Director of Joint Training and Exercises (J7) at U.S. Indo-Pacific Command. He is a command pilot with more than 2,500 hours in 13 different aircraft.
General Slife highlighted how AFOTEC performs critical test and evaluation of new war-fighting capabilities. “For five decades, AFOTEC has supported warfighters in every corner of the globe, and throughout every conflict. Furthermore, the Center has earned 13 Air Force Organizational Excellence Awards since 1983, a testament to the superb work done by the men and women of AFOTEC.”
“Nearly every major weapon system fielded by today’s Air Force is the result of AFOTEC’s investment and laser-focused dedication to its mission,” said Slife. “From our third, fourth, and fifth generation fighters, the F-4 to the F-35, our nation’s nuclear capabilities, combat search and rescue and special operations platforms, long-range hypersonics, exquisite space systems, and finally the B-21 Raider … AFOTEC has shaped the way our force is employed.”
Slife highlighted AFOTEC’s accomplishments under Major General Rawls, who is retiring after more than 32 years of active-duty service.
“Just as AFOTEC has a legacy of delivering the highest quality products and capabilities the Air Force can offer, it also produces the highest caliber of airpower leaders. Leaders like Lt. Gen. John Burns, Lt. Gen. Howard Leaf, Maj. Gen. Cecil Powell, Maj. Gen. Scott West, and most recently, Maj. Gen. Trey Rawls.”
“The visionary course you chartered enabled AFOTEC to flourish and continue to uphold the highest standards worthy of the AFOTEC Brand,” said Slife. “You have advanced the acquisition and fielding of our most sophisticated weapon systems for the United States and our allies.”
Slife also discussed the leadership qualities Drowley brings to the organization.
“Following General Rawls’ exceptional command tour, who do we hand the reins to?” said Slife. “Over the years, I’ve learned a lot of valuable lessons. One of them is certain events in our lives don’t just happen by chance, they’re usually intentional. We may not understand it, or even recognize it at the time, but eventually it becomes abundantly clear it was deliberate and consequential … this is one of those moments. So, when you see someone like Maj. Gen. Mike Dowley, you know you have found the right leader for the job.”
“General Drowley has tackled every job with passion and unwavering commitment,” said Slife. “The Air Force has the utmost confidence in his leadership, and his ability to take AFOTEC to new heights while continuing to break new barriers.”
General Drowley addressed the members of AFOTEC as he assumed the mantle of commander.
“I’m truly honored to join such a high-performing team,” said Drowley. “The mission of AFOTEC to support the swift delivery of combat capabilities to our Airmen is more crucial now than ever. I’m eager to support our purpose of providing excellence to the United States Air Force and in service to those who defend our freedom.”
AFOTEC is a direct reporting unit under Headquarters, United States Air Force. It is the Air Force’s independent test agency responsible for testing and evaluating new capabilities in operationally realistic environments to inform warfighters and influence national resource decisions.