Scientists, engineers, technicians, and educators in Middle Georgia will have a state-of-the-art facility to help revolutionize future manufacturing technologies by late 2018. "Middle Georgia has a long and strong relationship with the United States Air Force, and I couldn't be more supportive or proud of the Air Force's decision to bring a new Advanced Technology and Training Center to Warner Robins," said U.S. Rep. Austin Scott.

Brig. Gen. John Kubinec, Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex commander, agreed. "Innovation is about people working together," he said. "The Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center is a place where people can collaborate and marry great ideas with technology." The ATTC will be a place to train on and test new technologies without interrupting actual aircraft maintenance production. The center will seek to capitalize on the government and academic talent of people in the Middle Georgia region and encourages new opportunities for local high schools, community colleges, and universities.

"This center is going to help us reach beyond the fence to interact with the men and women of the local community in ways we couldn't before," said Thomas Fischer, director of Engineering and Technical Management for the Air Force Sustainment Center. "This center will enable Robins Air Force Base and Middle Georgia to strengthen ties to work together in order to solve the Department of Defense's most difficult challenges and educate the current and future industry experts to ensure our air superiority."

The facility will provide quick reaction and qualification capabilities for new technologies and processes in a non-production environment; training capabilities for advanced technology equipment and processes; and, cross-discipline collaboration space to share ideas and interact real-time in a fast-paced and dynamic environment. By leveraging these capabilities, the center will allow the staff to work collaboratively to foster innovative thinking, increase education and training, and push the state-of-the-art in manufacturing."The Air Force Advanced Technology and Training Center is a big win for Robins Air Force Base and Middle Georgia," said Kubinec. "It's the first of its kind and having it located in Warner Robins makes it a great avenue for community collaboration."