Dr. Herbert Bell (standing), technical advisor for the 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effective Directorate’s Warfighter Readiness Research Division in Mesa Ariz., greets participants at the division’s symposium, which was held for researchers to discuss division technology achievements throughout its 42-year history. Speakers included (seated) Colonel Douglas Hodge, deputy director, Human Effective Directorate, Lieutenant Colonel Joel Boswell, division chief, Warfighter Readiness Research Division, and Major General Ellen Pawlikowski, commander, Air Force Research Laboratory. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Bruce Liddil)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
As they prepare to transition operations to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, personnel from the 711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effective Directorate’s Warfighter Readiness Research Division at the Mesa Research Site, Ariz., held a three-day homecoming event celebration. The celebration ended with an “Aloha” themed dinner. Attendees included division chiefs, and technical directors and advisors representing each decade that the division has been in existence. Front row: Colonel (Ret) Dan Eliason, Division Chief, 1982-1986; Colonel (Ret) Dan Walker, Division Chief, 2005-2010; Lieutenant Colonel Joel Boswell, Division Chief, 2010-present; Dr. William Hagin, Technical Director, 1969-1976; Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) David Andersen, Division Chief, 1970-1971. Back Row: Dr. Herbert Bell, Technical Adviser, 2002-present; Dr. Dee Andrews, Technical Director, 1997-2002, (currently 711 HPW Senior Scientist); Colonel (Ret) Lynn Carroll (Division Chief, 1991-1999); Colonel (Ret) Mike Lane, (Division Chief 1986-1988); and Dr. Milt Wood, Behavioral Scientist and Technical Director, 1969-1986). (U.S. Air Force photo)

Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

Warfighter Readiness Research Division celebrates past and future with homecoming events

Published May 5, 2011
By Elizabeth Long
711th Human Performance Wing

MESA, Ariz. -- As they prepare to transition operations to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, personnel from the Air Force Research Laboratory,711th Human Performance Wing, Human Effective Directorate's Warfighter Readiness Research Division at the Mesa Research Site, Ariz., held a three-day homecoming event to celebrate its heritage and share future plans.

The division was established in 1969 as the Flying Training Division. Three personnel were initially assigned to the division. From its humble beginnings, RHA has grown to become a leader in researching, developing, demonstrating, evaluating and transitioning innovative technology and methods to train and equip warfighters.

The event included an open house for current and former employees, a symposium to discuss division technology achievements throughout its 42-year history, and closed with an "Aloha" themed dinner.

"One of the main purposes of our homecoming was to give the people who had helped create the legacy of this division an opportunity to meet and reminisce with those people who are going to continue the mission at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base," said Dr. Herbert Bell, RHA Technical Advisor.

About 100 former employees attended all or part of the homecoming events, including division chiefs, and technical directors and advisors from every decade since RHA stood up. Some came from as far as Virginia, Ohio and Canada.

"It was wonderful that so many former employees visited," Dr. Bell said. "It showed the continuity of people and the passing of the baton between various division chiefs, technical advisors, scientists and engineers. It also gave us an opportunity to talk about the evolution of this organization."

In addition to the former employees, the homecoming also hosted other special guests, including Major General Ellen Pawlikowski, commander, AFRL, and Colonel Douglas Hodge, deputy director, Human Effectiveness Directorate. Both officers spoke at the Warfighter Readiness Research Symposium.