AFRL's Space Vehicles gets new director

  • Published
  • By Kendahl Johnson
  • Kirtland Public Affairs
KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. --  Col. Russ Teehan assumed command as is the new director of the Air Force Research Laboratory's Space Vehicles  Directorate and commander of the Phillips Research Site at a ceremony at the AFRL Conference Center June 2.

"I look forward to this opportunity," Teehan said. "I look forward to working with this amazing team of scientists, engineers and staff on developing and advancing technologies critical to maintaining the high ground for our warfighters in defense of our nation at home and across the globe."

In his new position, Teehan will be responsible for leading a team of more than 800 military, civilian and on-site contractors who comprise the nation's center of excellence for military space science and technology, research and development, and advanced technologies integration and demonstration. His organization manages an annual budget of $307 million.

Presiding over the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Robert McMurry, AFRL commander.  McMurry said whenever someone is put into command, expectations are high but that he couldn't think of a better person to for the job.

"We have selected someone who clearly has the right credentials to do the job. Colonel Teehan is exactly the right guy to run this organization, and is going to make us all proud," the general said. "This is going to be a win for Kirtland, for the AFRL and for the Air Force."

Teehan most recently served as chief of the Space Control Branch of the Strategic, Space, and Intelligence Office within the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics. His 23-year Air Force career has included a variety of assignments, including basic research at Kirtland, teaching at the USAF Academy, space system acquisition management at the Space and Missiles Systems Center, and senior staff tours at the Pentagon.

AFRL's Space Vehicles Directorate is charged with developing, testing and transitioning space technologies for the U.S. Air Force. Primary mission areas include: space-based intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, space situational awareness, space communications, position navigation and timing and defensive space control. Space Vehicles has an annual budget of $307 million and employs 809 military, civilian and contractor employees.