Edwards civilian recognized nationally for test work - IR Force News Service - Brief Article

Program Manager, March, 2002 by Leigh Anne Bierstine

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif (AFPN), Feb. 2, 2002--Aiding in the development of one of the Air Force's premier weapons systems is job satisfaction enough for most people. But Kevin Montoya's work on the airborne laser test and evaluation program at the Air Force Flight Test Center here is earning him high marks on a national level.

The National Defense Industrial Association has named Montoya Civilian Tester of the Year.

Montoya is the project manager for test and evaluation of the airborne laser program. He was cited for his work in developing directed-energy and high-energy laser test infrastructure and capability where none has previously existed. Montoya and the airborne laser integrated test force here recently completed a 17,O00-square-foot systems integration laboratory where the laser will be tested in [its] entirety on the ground prior to flight-testing.

There is no doubt the importance of the airborne laser program helped catch the attention of the association, Montoya said.

"The ABL program is a priority for the nation;" he said. "It is a breakthrough weapons system, and if it proves successful it will change the way we do things. in the future.

Montoya's work is providing a model for future flight-test center directed-energy test programs, said Col. Steve Cameron, the 412th Test Wing commander here.

"We are all proud that the NDIA has recognized Kevin's unique contributions to the test community," Cameron said. "It's nice to see national recognition for the hard work that goes on behind the scenes to make the test and evaluation of our nation's aerospace systems the best anywhere."

The NDIA nod is recognition not only for his own hard work, Montoya said, but also for the role the flight test center plays in supporting the nation's defense.

"This award is a tribute to the test expertise we have here at Edwards," Montoya said. "Hopefully this will be the beginning of further recognition by the Air Force and the rest of the test community"

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