Fellows Banquet speaker recognizes importance of Fellow's contributions

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) Fellows Banquet keynote speaker, retired Brig. Gen. Michael DeLorenzo, came home to AEDC and recalled how he had crossed paths with each Fellow during his Air Force career.

DeLorenzo, a partner with Teaching Science and Technology Incorporated (TSTI), was an officer at the Complex and called AEDC home from 1988-1991.

He speaks of his arrival at the complex, "It was the summer of 1988 when my family and I discovered the Air Force's best kept secret: The Arnold Engineering Development Center [Complex]. Over the next three years I encountered some of the finest senior leaders and professional work force of my entire 32 year Air Force career," DeLorenzo said.

He congratulated David Beale and Marvin Sellers on their technical contributions in aerospace testing at the Complex. He also congratulated Ron Polce and retired Maj. Gen. Michael Wiedemer on their support of the Complex during their service and after, recognizing the integrity demonstrated by all Fellows.

In his speech he emphasized how the nation maintains a lead over the rest of the world in technological development.

"The defense of our nation rests squarely on the resolve of our great people and the great technology developed to support them. AEDC is in the frontline of this battle and I, for one, know we are in great hands with folks like David Beale, Marvin Sellers, Ron Polce and Mike Wiedemer," DeLorenzo said.

Referencing the Mars Curiosity landing, he reminded banquet participants of the complex's role in technology and how today's generation faces different threats than of his generation. He said, "Today our next generation faces an entirely different threat. It could be a truck in front of a government building, a tug boat in a harbor, a pregnant woman at a check point, a plane full of American citizens or a back pack at the Boston Marathon.

"It is like someone has cut the end off a feather pillow and smashed it. The feathers which represent possible threats just go everywhere! How do you defend against something like that? The answer starts with a great people, a great nation, standing firmly on the resolve and the heritage that made them great."

DeLorenzo continued to establish his belief of how this nation stands against continuing threats.

"Tonight what I am telling you is the United States of America is the greatest nation on the face of this planet no matter what you might hear, and this Nation standing on our foundational culture of freedom, justice and innovation has and will continue to develop the incredible technologies necessary for our defense.

"So the answer to stopping the many facets of terror and tyranny we face today begins with a great nation, our nation, developing great technology and using it wisely," he said.

DeLorenzo spoke of how the backbone of technology development is testing.

He said, "Testing is where the rubber of technology meets the road to success.

"When you fly like you test and you test like you fly, you win! Hap Arnold knew that in the late forties and nothing has changed today. Testing is what AEDC is all about."

DeLorenzo is a Professor Emeritus at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) with over 37 years of Aerospace engineering experience. He was head of the Department of Astronautics at the USAFA for 10 years.

During his 32-year AF career, DeLorenzo was a test engineer, instructor, professor, deputy director of flight dynamics test at AEDC, chief of Wright Laboratory's Advanced Guidance Division and acting chief scientist for Wright Laboratory's Armament Directorate. He also served as Vice Commander, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

For the entire speech, see www.arnold.af.mil/library/pioneers.asp.