Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground aviation test officer Eugene Walters (second from right)...... read more read more
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Aviation Test Officer Eugene Walters began his career at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in 1987 after serving in the U.S. Army.
At the time, he was hired on as an aircraft gunner in the Aircraft Armament shop which he says it’s not much different than what the Aircraft Weapons shop does today.
“Our job was to load the aircraft, do basic maintenance on it for the weapon system, assist with operations downrange, put-up roadblocks to keep the test area safe and report all that to the test officer and kind of coordinate everything for them at the armament pad,” explained Walters.
Walters diligently worked learning all he could from others around him. Eventually he became the supervisor of Aircraft Armaments section in 1999. Then when Aviation Systems across the street was looking for test officers Walters jump at the opportunity.
“A test officer’s job is to coordinate the testing at YPG,” he said. Walters goes on to explain, how test officers facilitate the test in conjunction with the industry partner — everything from finding out the needs of the test, to providing a cost estimate for testing and monitoring test funds once testing is underway. Throughout the test cycle test officers must follow multiple steps including, “starting the test scheduling, ordering ammunition, shipping and receiving —making sure all the items arrive and are shipped out at the completion of the test. Writing test plans and reports, coordinating support elements and be out on the test site. It’s a lot of coordination.”
Walters will be the first to tell you that teamwork is vital as a test officer.
“Everybody at YPG plays a part. Every single support element on the post even people you typically don’t think of, have their part to play. They are the ones who get it done. We ask for their help.”
Adding, “The test support teams are really the critical part of YPG.”
While being a test officer is a tremendous amount of work, perks of the job include occasionally flying on aircraft and seeing aircraft that are rare.
“I’ve seen a few foreign things that are kind of neat that most people don’t get the opportunity to look at.”
During his time at YPG he’s tested a multitude of aircraft for the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force.
“Just about everything you can think of the U.S. military for a rotary wing aircraft has come through here at one time or another.”
Just like a true aircraft aficionado Walters only needs to hear an aircraft to identify it, “Every once in a while one will throw me, especially if they are flying together, but for the most part I can tell what they are without looking at them.”
Walters enjoys getting out of the office and working downrange constantly learning about emerging technology, specifically military aircraft.
“I am always interested at what we’ve done here and where it’s going. I am interested in military technology and how it’s evolved.”
In Walters’ nearly 40 years at YPG, he’s learned a lot from his peers, some retired and some still working at the proving ground. He credits Flight Services Division Chief Patrick Franklin for providing him with learning experiences and says, “Every boss I’ve ever had in Aviation Systems has been excellent to work for.”
Walters goes on to say, “That’s another thing I really enjoy about this place. The willingness of everyone to assist in completing the mission.”
While Walters gives a lot of praise to others, he’s also highly respected for his work ethic.
During a recent meeting Aviation Systems and Electronic Test Division Chief Ross Gwynn described Walters as a “motivator for all his team.”
In 2023, Walters was selected as the Yuma Test Center Command’s Civilian Mission Employee for the 2nd Quarter. Walters oversaw four test programs while concurrently helping fellow test officers conducting four additional tests, which directly supported Future Vertical Lift initiatives.
He’s also a recipient of the Order of Saint Michael award.
“It was an honor I never expected.” He said of honor bestowed on him in 2017.
He thought he was attending a division safety meeting up until Grant Ware broke the news.
“I was quite shocked, and I really appreciated it, but one again it was everyone else at YPG that got me there. Nobody does anything by themselves out here. The entire team has allowed me to get where I am at. To achieve my position.”
| Date Taken: | 09.25.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.25.2024 17:55 |
| Story ID: | 479980 |
| Location: | YUMA PROVING GROUND, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 19 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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