AFOTEC Det. 6 commander retires after 28 years Published Aug. 11, 2009 By Nellis Public Affairs AFOTEC Det. 6 NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- Nellis Airmen, family and friends gathered at the Officers' Club to celebrate the retirement of Col. Jimmy 'J Ray' Clark after 28 years of service in the United States Air Force Aug. 5. As the commander of the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC), Detachment 6, Colonel Clark was responsible for the operational testing of all fighter aircraft, including the A-10C Thunderbolt II, the F-22A Raptor, the F-15E Strike Eagle and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. As an F-15C pilot with more than 3000 flying hours, Colonel Clark provided the experience and leadership necessary to test fighter aircraft, said Capt. Kevin J. Savidge, lead fighter instrumentation and data engineer, AFOTEC, Det. 6. Colonel Clark was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina and graduated with distinction from the University of Virginia in 1981 with a degree in systems engineering. In addition to his time as commander, Colonel Clark served multiple assignments at Nellis, including as a United States Air Force Weapons School student and instructor, an F-15C project officer in the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, and as the 57th Wing vice commander. Colonel Clark relinquished command of Det. 6 to the former 414th Combat Training Squadron commander, Col. Greg Neubeck, during a change of command ceremony earlier in the day. Maj. Gen. Stanley T. Kresge, the United States Air Force Warfare Center commander, presented Colonel Clark with his retirement certificate and pin. "It has been a privilege to serve with great Americans for 28 years," Colonel Clark said. "I will cherish all the great memories of friends made and missions accomplished."
