KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center held a change of command ceremony September 16 at its Headquarters on Kirtland Air Force Base. Brigadier General Jesse J. Friedel assumed command of the Center from Major General Michael R. Drowley in a ceremony presided by Lieutenant General Scott L. Pleus, Director of Staff, Headquarters Air Force.
General Friedel comes to his new command from the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center at Nellis AFB, Nev., where he served as the Deputy Commander. He is a command pilot with more than 2,900 hours, primarily in various versions of the F-16.
General Pleus highlighted how Major General Drowley “led AFOTEC at a pivotal moment in our history. The homeland and the American way of life are under threat. AFOTEC, under his leadership, met that moment with the Mission Under Test concept. The testing of systems in exercises, to include Resolute Force Pacific (REFORPAC), ensures that our airmen get capabilities at the speed of relevance.”
“The 90 major defense acquisition programs you are testing are essential to securing the homeland, deterring our enemies, and projecting power. The nation is better prepared for the threat because of your work.”
Major General Drowley is going to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii to serve as Special Assistant to Pacific Air Forces Commander.
Pleus also discussed the leadership qualities Friedel brings to the organization.
“Brigadier General Friedel is well prepared for this challenge,” said Pleus. “His character will imbue AFOTEC with the integrity, service, and excellence the department demands. He has flown 404 hours in combat. He has commanded at the flight, squadron, and wing level.”
“As a member of the test community, he pushed forward the employment of the Laser Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and the Sniper pod. Weapons which were indispensable weapons in our operations across Central Command. Most importantly, he integrated his test experience into operations with our joint and coalition partners across the Indo-Pacific. With his firsthand experience, he will drive Mission Under Test forward.”
“David Marquet demonstrated the power of intent in his book ‘Turn the Ship Around,’” said Pleus. “He showed great commanders empower subordinates to do amazing things. Major General Drowley empowered this organization to create new capabilities. Brigadier General Friedel, the Department of the Air Force intends for you to lead AFOTEC as an empowered and empowering commander. Lead the test enterprise. Refine the department into the agile and lethal force the nation needs.”
General Friedel addressed the members of AFOTEC as he assumed the mantle of commander.
“I assure you, just because there is a new Commander does not mean there should be angst in the ranks because you think changes may occur,” said Friedel. “This is a well-oiled organization, and the mission does not change, for we must continue to test capabilities with speed to deliver performance, constantly measuring effectiveness and suitability. Change will only occur because we, not I, believe we can be more efficient or effective somewhere as we continue to evolve and become better every single day. Just continue being an expert at your trade craft and look for opportunities to be innovative while making processes more efficient and effective as you assess the risk and have safety in the calculus.
“We will work together to assure we, as a team, are helping the Air Force Enterprise increase readiness, by executing the mission we are tasked with, while becoming better leaders at all levels,” said Friedel.
AFOTEC is a direct reporting unit under Headquarters, United States Air Force. The Center is the Air Force’s independent test agency responsible for testing and evaluating new capabilities in operationally realistic environments with the vision to assure the Air Force’s capabilities deter in competition and defeat in conflict.