KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- The Phillips Research Site, to include the Space Vehicles and Directed Energy Directorates of the Air Force Research Laboratory, is now under new leadership.
AFRL/RV and RD said goodbye to former commander Col. Russell Teehan and welcomed new commander Col. Eric Felt in a ceremony July 20 here.
Teehan is destined for Headquarters Air Force Space Command, Colorado Springs, Colo., where he will serve as the Space and Missile Systems Center Portfolio Architect. He discussed his tenure fondly, from the moment he took command in June 2016. His ailing mother was able to take part in the assumption of command via video conferencing, just months before her death.
“She knew this was where I wanted to be,” Teehan said. “We love this directorate, we love this site and we love this base. You all have kicked butt and I want to thank you for that. We wish you all well and you are in good hands with Eric Felt.”
During Teehan’s time in command, the Site was recognized for managing the $621 million-plus science and technology mission to keep the U.S. ahead of its adversaries in the areas of space and directed energy. His accomplishments included driving the development and launching the $250 million Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle Secondary Payload Adapter Augmentation Geostationary Laboratory Experiment in May. His contributions were highlighted during the presentation of a Legion of Merit.
The site will continue to be essential to maintaining technological superiority, according to Felt. He told his new command that focusing on the right things was essential going forward. Felt begins his third assignment at Kirtland.
“I’m super excited to be here and work with the team that’s here,” Felt said. “Today is a lot about celebrating Colonel Teehan and the wonderful job that he’s done. So continue on the vector that you are on. Don’t pause, don’t take a breath, just keep going.”
Felt said that his leadership philosophy was based on the Air Force Core Values and dignity and respect were the foundation for how members of PRS should support and take of each other. Ultimately, service, integrity and excellence mean being focused on the right things.
“We’re going to do the right thing professionally. We are going to work on the right problems and have the right priorities, even if that isn’t what’s popular at the moment,” Felt said. “We are not going to chase after where we think the money’s going to be, we are going to chase after what we think are the most important things for our nation.”