Kirtland Air Force Base, N. M. -- The Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center hosted members of the Kirtland Partnership Committee at its Kirtland AFB headquarters July 23 and provided them a mission update briefing and the opportunity for open discussion.

"The Kirtland Partnership Committee exists to support, preserve and grow Kirtland Air Force Base," said Stuart Purviance, Kirtland Partnership Committee executive director. "As AFOTEC is commanded by the senior ranking officer on Kirtland AFB and is the only direct reporting unit on the base, we have been well aware of its importance to the Air Force and the base. However, to spend two and a half hours with General Sargeant, getting a customized, world-class briefing with his key staff present and having him answer questions added another dimension to our knowledge and gave us additional understanding in order to be in a position to work issues of common concern in the future."

The seven attending members from the Kirtland Partnership Committee included Mr. Purviance; retired Col. Charlie Thomas, former Kirtland AFB commander; David Seely, Kirtland Federal Credit Union president and CEO; retired Col. Gary Van Valin, chairman of Keystone International; retired Col. Mike Chase, senior vice president of SAIC; Bill Keleher, Keleher and McLeod Law Firm; and Chuck Lanier, former Albuquerque city commissioner.

"Stuart Purviance provided a great opportunity for us to discuss our reorganization, process re-engineering and facilities master plan that are enhancing the quality of our product as well as our workplace," said Maj. Gen. Stephen T. Sargeant, AFOTEC commander. "The KPC provides great support to the Airmen of Kirtland AFB and AFOTEC. We enjoyed hosting them to say we appreciate all they do on our behalf."

AFOTEC is a direct reporting unit to the Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force and is the Air Force's independent operational test agency responsible for testing and evaluating new warfighting capabilities developed for Airmen, and often their Joint and Coalition Partners.