HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- HILL AIR FORCE BASE, UTAH – Col. Denise M. Michaels became the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 3 Commander during a change of command ceremony at Hill Air Force Base, May 28.
AFOTEC Commander Brig. Gen. Jesse J. Friedel presided as Col. Adam T. Rector relinquished command after serving as the Detachment 3 Commander since June 2023.
“For the last three years, Colonel Rector, with the support of his family and a great team, has served with brilliance and has advanced the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center in its mission of testing capabilities with speed to deliver performance,” said Friedel. “Adam has a reputation of excellence and through his leadership he has made AFOTEC Detachment 3 better.”
Rector, who is set to become the 91st Maintenance Group Commander at Minot AFB, N.D., thanked his team for their service and dedication. “I have been astonished since day one of my command with your exceptional enthusiasm, professionalism and expertise as you executed AFOTEC’s mission without fail. I have never seen such a refined and condensed core of excellence as I have seen in this organization, and it has been an honor to serve as your commander.”
“Today, we pass this command over to Col. Denise Michaels,” said Friedel. “There is simply no one more qualified, and ready to take the reins of AFOTEC Detachment 3 than Denise.”
“Throughout Denise’s career, she has demonstrated great vision, courage and leadership,” said Friedel. “I have the utmost confidence in her leadership ability and trust that she will continue to take AFOTEC Detachment 3 to new heights while knocking down barriers.”
Michaels praised Detachment 3’s accomplishments under Rector’s leadership. “You’ve set a high bar and are handing over a detachment that is sharp, mission-focused, and primed for the future." Addressing the team directly Michaels emphasized their vital role ensuring “our warfighters understand the lethality, survivability, and suitability of their systems in the mission environment.”
As the AFOTEC Detachment 3 Commander, Michaels commands a group equivalent unit that includes two geographically separated Operating Locations at Offutt AFB, Neb., and Vandenberg Space Force Base, Calif. She is responsible for leading, planning, executing, and reporting operational tests and evaluations for three advanced intercontinental ballistic missile system programs worth more than $171 billion.
Michaels previously served as the Deputy Division Chief of Test, Training and Cyber Policy at Air Force Global Strike Command located at Barksdale AFB, La. In this position she assisted in leading an eight-member team in developing and implementing test, training, and cyber policy for the $141 billion Sentinel program and ensured effective system testing. She also partnered with stakeholders to plan training and cyber defense strategies, managed transitional planning and personnel forecasting, and performed legislative liaison duties to ensure congressional compliance.
She has been a mission-ready crew member in the Minuteman III Intercontinental Ballistic Missile System and a flight test engineer on multiple Air Force platforms to include the B-1, B-52 and C-12. Colonel Michaels served in a variety of positions including Director of Operations, Assistant Director of Operations, Chief of Test Safety, Chief Flight Test Engineer, Chief of Test and Evaluations, Squadron Commander, Flight Commander, operational and developmental tester, instructor, and evaluator.
AFOTEC Detachment 3 tests and evaluates strategic nuclear systems in operationally realistic environments to ensure delivery of effective and suitable combat capabilities. Test programs include the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), which is the weapon system replacement for the LGM-30 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile system (ICBM). Other programs include the Mk21A Reentry Vehicle that will be used on GBSD and Fuze Modernization replacement for the Mk21 arming and fuzing assembly.
AFOTEC headquarters is located at Kirtland AFB, N.M. with detachments in California, Florida, Nevada, and Utah with several geographically separated operating locations across the U.S. 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.