Air Force Materiel Command

• Origins: Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) was established on July 1, 1992, merging Air Force Logistics Command and Air Force Systems Command, uniting research, development, and logistics under one umbrella. • Massive Workforce: AFMC is one of the largest major commands in the USAF, employing approximately 89,000 military and civilian personnel. • Global Reach: The command manages facilities at over 100 locations worldwide, supporting the Air Force’s global mission. • Innovation Hub: AFMC is responsible for much of the Air Force’s cutting-edge research, including hypersonic weapons, stealth technology, and advanced propulsion. • Wright-Patterson AFB: The command headquarters is located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, a historic site for aviation research and home to the Air Force Research Laboratory. • Roswell Incident: Wright-Patterson AFB, now home to AFMC HQ, was rumored to store debris from the 1947 Roswell UFO incident, fueling decades of speculation. • Air Force Life Cycle Management: AFMC oversees the entire life cycle of Air Force weapon systems, from concept and design to retirement and disposal. • Test and Evaluation: The command runs major test sites, including Edwards AFB in California, where legendary planes like the X-15 rocket plane and the B-2 Spirit stealth bomber were tested. • Historic Aircraft: AFMC and its predecessors have overseen the development of iconic aircraft—including the SR-71 Blackbird, the F-117 Nighthawk, and the B-52 Stratofortress. • Support to Space Missions: AFMC played a key role in supporting the U.S. space program, including developing launch vehicles and managing satellite operations.