Home Notice Box Top Stories AFRL commander retires, new commander named

AFRL commander retires, new commander named

0

For Greene County News

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE – Air Force officials announced yesterday that Maj. Gen. Thomas J. Masiello, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory, has been approved for retirement.

Masiello will be succeeded as AFRL commander by Maj. Gen. Robert D. McMurry Jr., currently Vice Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Space Command, Los Angeles Air Force Base, California.

Maj. Gen. Masiello was commissioned in July 1981 as a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy and has led AFRL since July 2013. As the AFRL commander, he has been responsible for managing a $2.1 billion Air Force science and technology program and an additional $2.3 billion in externally funded research and development while leading a government workforce of approximately 6,000 people in the laboratory’s nine component technology directorates and the 711th Human Per-formance Wing.

Under Masiello’s leadership, the organization was named as a recipient of the 2015 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award. Specifically, AFRL was recognized for its effective research planning that strategically aligned warfighter needs to evolving innovative technologies.

During this timeframe, AFRL uniquely supported warfighters with innovative products such as: Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, Silver Fang, Counter-electronics High Power Microwave Advanced Missile Project, and Adaptive Versatile Engine Technology.

AFRL was also commended for teaming efficiently with other government, industry, (international) and academic partners to double the annual budget to over $4 billion dollars per year and delivering solutions to complex technical challenges that resulted in state-of-the-art capabilities, which ultimately changed the face of warfare.

“Receiving this award truly demonstrates the extraordinary work that AFRL’s people do each and every day to provide unique and revolutionary capabilities in support of the nation and our warfighters,” Masiello said.

Masiello said he is extremely proud of AFRL and the amazingly talented individuals who work there.

“I’m honored to cap off my career with such an outstanding organization,” he said.

McMurry, a native of San Antonio, Texas, entered the Air Force in 1984 through the University of Texas ROTC program. He has served in a variety of engineering, program management, and staff du-ties within Air Combat Command, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Space Command and the Missile Defense Agency.

He commanded the 508th Aircraft Sustainment Group, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah and Airborne Laser Systems Program Office, Aeronautical Systems Center, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. He also served as Vice Commander of the Space Based Infrared Systems Wing, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, California and Space Programs Director for the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C.

Details of Masiello’s retirement and the AFRL change of command ceremony will be announced as they become available.

Story courtesy of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.