AF selects two AFOTEC members as AFA award nominees Published June 26, 2012 By Katherine C. Gandara Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Chief of Public Affairs Kirtland Air Force Base, N.M. -- Great news was doubled when The Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz notified the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Commander Maj. Gen. David J. Eichhorn that two members of AFOTEC's Detachment 5 at Edwards AFB, Calif., are Air Force nominees for Air Force Association awards. Maj. Fred A. Kimler III is a nominee for the AFA's Theodore von Kármán Award for the most outstanding contribution in the field of science and engineering. "To be nominated for an award named after such an icon of engineering and aeronautics is indeed an honor," said Major Kimler. "It's very humbling to be recognized for an award at this level. I really have to thank all the people of AFOTEC, and especially those at Detachment 5, for all of their support and assistance. I've been given amazing opportunities to test critical systems for the warfighter." Maj. Eric N. Schulze is a nominee for the AFA Citation of Honor award for the outstanding contribution of an individual or organization to the development of aerospace power for the betterment of mankind. "As an Air Force officer and a proud AFOTEC testing contributor it is an honor just to be considered for this award," said Major Schulze. "This nomination could not have been possible without the outstanding training provided by AFOTEC, the mentorship from Detachment 5 leadership, and the full support of the test teams I have been a part of. Testing is never an individual effort, but rather a team effort with a common goal." Winners of the AFA National Aerospace Awards will be honored during the Sept 17-19, 2012 Air and Space Conference and Technology Exposition in Washington, D.C.