March 12 proclaimed AEDC Day in Tennessee

  • Published
  • By Raquel March
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, Tenn. --  The Tennessee Senate and House of Representatives officially declared March 12 as Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) Day at a proclamation presentation yesterday.

Representative Judd Matheny and Senator Janice Bowling presented a House Joint Resolution 718 to honor and commemorate AEDC due to the Complex's crucial role in keeping the United States on the cutting edge of aerospace technology by conducting ground flight testing. The resolution states that the result of the testing conducted by
AEDC personnel, past and present, has helped America maintain air dominance and ensured that American military personnel have been free from attack by manned enemy aircraft.

AEDC leadership and Arnold Community Council (ACC) members attended the proclamation presentation at the state capitol.

AEDC representative and Test Support Division Director Col. James Krajewski accepted the proclamation at the event and expressed gratitude for such an honor for the Complex.

"The proclamation does a fine job expressing what AEDC does for our nation; but doesn't mention the important work our communities around the base do for the men and women who work at AEDC," he said. "I think, if anything, this proclamation is a testament to how these outstanding communities in Southern Middle Tennessee contribute day in and day out to the defense of our great nation."

ACC President Ben Craig said, "It is a great honor to have both the State of Tennessee Senate and the House chambers recognize the hard work and dedication of all employees of AEDC by issuing a proclamation for March 12 as AEDC Day.

"The added bonus to the ceremonies was Congressman Diane Black attending this event. She is co-chairing the Congressional Range and Test Center Caucus focusing on the importance of ranges and test centers such as AEDC. Congressman Black's support and dedication to AEDC and ACC is unprecedented and I personally appreciate her efforts to benefit the employees and surrounding communities."

The ACC promotes, protects and preserves AEDC and facilitates interaction and cooperation between the Complex and surrounding communities. The council's board of directors represents 13 southern middle Tennessee and Alabama counties.

AEDC received the honor, according to the resolution, additionally because of its impact in the community.

While AEDC also plays a key role in America's space program, the test facilities at the world's largest ground test complex are estimated at a replacement value exceeding $11.8 billion.

The resolutions states, "AEDC, using one-of-a-kind facilities that do not exist anywhere else on the planet, has helped to develop civilian aviation aircraft and to make commercial aviation safer by testing jet engines under full flight conditions in simulated altitude engine test cells and by testing improved airliner designs in the large 16-foot Transonic wind tunnel and full-scale tail sections in its unique California test facility.

"AEDC's impact on the local economy exceeded $612 million with an additional impact of approximately $150 million from related sources, such as military, government civilian, and contractor retirees who live in Middle Tennessee because of AEDC."

The resolution also noted that more than 2,200 skilled personnel are employed at the Complex and AEDC is a good neighbor sponsoring Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) outreach programs in local schools as well as providing fire and emergency mutual aid response support in the community.