ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Dr. Ronald M. Sega, undersecretary of the Air Force, visited Arnold Dec. 8 and shared his perspective on the future of Arnold Engineering Development Center in the Air Force, the Department of Defense and the nation.
One of Dr. Sega's responsibilities is to oversee the recruiting, training and equipping of the approximately 700,000 people in the Air Force. His career has included service as an Air Force pilot, an astronaut with NASA, a college dean and many leadership positions.
He said his professional background helped to prepare him for his current position in the Air Force.
"Before coming to the Pentagon in 2001, I was the dean of the College of Engineering and Applied Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs for five years," he said. "Then as director of Defense Research and Engineering (at the Pentagon) one of our initiatives led to the National Defense Education program and a variety of ways to recruit and retain talented individuals for the Department of Defense.
"That becomes more important as we go forward," Dr. Sega continued. "The 21st century is going to be characterized by a high rate of technological change. We must have the people who will have the education and experience to do what we need to do."
Dr. Sega said he was impressed by AEDC on several levels.
"I had a great tour and the magnitude, not only in terms of the size of some of the facilities, but also the number of them and the range of testing, is impressive," he said.
"I was clearly aware of AEDC, but to actually be here and tour it was important and gave me a greater appreciation for what is available here. AEDC is clearly a national asset - one that is being used and will be even more important to us going forward."
He highlighted one area he expects AEDC to be a key participant in.
"We're entering an era where we're looking at and pushing the state of technology and speed in air-breathing engines," Dr. Sega said. "I think Arnold will have a prominent role in that testing."
Dr. Sega added that he was impressed by the caliber of the junior military and civilian force he met during his tour.
"I was pleased to see many of the folks who were my tour guides today - they're bright and enthusiastic," he said. "We're counting on them to do the hard work and advance the state of engineering and technology."
Dr. Sega is also expecting these officers and engineers to accelerate their efforts to bring other bright prospects to AEDC.
"I know they're already doing that," he said. "But I hope they'll do more to encourage and inspire those who are thinking about what they want to do in the future."