(Above) Colonel Thomas R. Rock Jr., Senior Materiel Leader, Range and Network Division, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.; Donna Duperron, Pres. & CEO, Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce; Lt. Gen. John F. Thompson, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
This past Thursday, I was provided the remarkable opportunity of attending the Full Operating Capability (FOC) at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Los Angeles Air Force Base (LA AFB). Los Angeles Air Force Base houses and supports the headquarters of the United States Space Force’s Space and Missile Systems Center. The center manages research, development, and acquisition of military space systems.
As a member of the Honorary Commander’s Program, I have been partnered with Colonel Thomas R. Rock Jr. He is the Senior Materiel Leader for the Range and Network Division, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles AFB, CA. He leads over 250 government and contractor personnel modernizing and sustaining the world- wide Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN), as well as the nation’s Launch and Test Range System (LTRS) located at Vandenberg AFB, CA and Cape Canaveral AFS, FL.
The Honorary Commander’s program creates one-on-one opportunities to inform and educate local community leaders about the missions of the United States Air Force and the LA AFB. During the event, Lieutenant General John F. Thompson, Commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Air Force Command, LA AFB welcomed several hundred into the Gordon Conference Center.
“Although we are at FOC, we will continuously improve to field fast, relevant and affordable solutions. SMC is a journey, not a destination,” stated Lt. General Thompson. In addition to the announcement of FOC, Lt. General Thompson also announced that the Space and Missile Systems Center has been awarded the Organizational Excellence award for the period of 1/1/2017 to 12/31/2018. Additionally, the new Space Force logo was unveiled.