ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. -- Col. Wayne Dirkes assumed leadership of Arnold Engineering Development Complex during a June 27 Change of Command ceremony that served as the culmination of the AEDC 75th anniversary open house event at the Complex’s Arnold Air Force Base headquarters.
Dirkes is the 34th commander of AEDC. He previously served as commander of the 704th Test Group, one of the Complex’s geographically separated units headquartered at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
“Arnold Engineering and Development Complex, with units scattered from coast to coast, has stood ready and continues to stand ready to answer the nation’s call to develop war-winning and war-deterring capabilities,” Dirkes said after taking the guidon to assume command of AEDC. “The contributions of this organization to American military power over the past 75 years are incalculable.”
As AEDC commander, Dirkes now leads an organization of more than 3,000 military members, civilians and contractors operating aerospace test facilities across seven states. The Complex provides world-class test and evaluation capabilities that support the development of advanced aerospace systems, from subsonic and hypersonic flight to space-based technologies.
“To those current and past members of AEDC who have worked here, who have been assigned here, from the bottom of my heart, I say ‘thank you,’” Dirkes said. “I say ‘thank you’ for your sacrifice and your service, and on behalf of our nation, I say ‘thank you’ for preparing America for war and for peace, for protecting our homeland and for advancing some of the coolest technologies in existence.
“I look forward to our time together, helping our nation advance its vital interests anywhere in the world at any time.
“Give me your best. It will be enough.”
Before assuming command of AEDC, Dirkes led the 704 TG where he oversaw flight and ground testing of advanced air capabilities.
A command pilot with more than 2,270 flight hours in more than two dozen different aircraft, Dirkes has deployed five times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. He has more than 20 years of active-duty Air Force experience in operational flying, flight test and command.
He flew rescue missions into New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. Dirkes is credited with 180 career “saves” from personnel recovery missions in combat and civil environments.
Dirkes earned his commission through the Reserve Officer Training Corps after receiving his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2001 from Norwich University, Vermont. He earned a Master of Science in technology and project management from the University of Maryland University College. He also holds a master’s degrees in military operation art and strategic studies from Air University.
He was promoted to colonel in December 2022.
Among his awards and decorations, Dirkes has received the Distinguished Flying Cross with valor device.