General: Eglin RDT&E safe

FORT WALTON BEACH, Fla. -- The consolidation of Air Force Materiel Command from 12 to five centers was not designed to pave the way for moving Eglin Air Force Base's research, development, test and evaluation function to Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. That's what Brig. Gen. Arnold Bunch, director of Edwards' Air Force Test Center, told the Florida Defense Support Task Force during a Wednesday meeting. Bunch said he's striving to keep Eglin's RDT&E function "flyable and viable." Since the reorganization was announced late last year, leaders in Northwest Florida have been concerned about the fate of Eglin's RDT&E function. The consolidation was carried out in July. The task force was established in January to protect the state's 20 bases. It also met behind closed doors to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the state's bases. (Source: Northwest Florida Daily News, 10/24/12)