Louisiana Tech University and the Air Force Sustainment Center signed a Memorandum of Understanding on March 23 at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, formalizing a new partnership aimed at preparing students for careers in aircraft sustainment and logistics readiness.
The agreement seeks to strengthen pathways for Louisiana Tech graduates into civilian service roles with the Air Force, particularly in areas such as business management, finance, human resources, procurement, propulsion, STEM fields, supply chain management, and workforce development. This collaboration is intended to help meet critical needs within the Air Force while providing students with valuable career opportunities.
University leadership and faculty from the College of Engineering and Science participated in briefings and strategic discussions with AFSC leadership during their visit. Dr. Henry Cardenas of Mechanical Engineering and Dr. Erica Murray from the Institute for Micromanufacturing joined Col. (ret.) Warren Ward, executive director of the Louisiana Tech Research Institute, along with Louisiana Tech University President Dr. Jim Henderson.
“Louisiana Tech has been a long-time partner of our warfighters in every branch of the military, but none more than the United States Air Force,” President Henderson said. “The opportunities awaiting our faculty and students through the AFSC are immense. The missions and expertise of AFSC and Louisiana Tech could not be in better alignment.”
Lt. Gen. Jennifer Hammerstedt, commander of Air Force Sustainment Center said: “Partnering with Louisiana Tech is an exciting opportunity that will help shape the future of Air Force readiness. The University is well versed in defense initiatives, and we are looking forward to collaborating with their students and faculty to not only enrich their academic experience but also advance our mission to fly, fix, and fight.”
Ward said: “By aligning our research capabilities with Air Force priorities, we are creating new pathways to support mission readiness while expanding applied research and workforce opportunities for our students.”
Murray added: “New doors for faculty and students will be opened to engage directly with real-world challenges in advanced manufacturing and sustainment… It also creates opportunities to translate research into practical applications while preparing students for impactful careers in national defense and related industries.”
The Air Force Sustainment Center provides logistics support as well as maintenance services that ensure operational readiness across U.S. military aviation.
