Santa Clarita / Antelope Valley : Air Force Commander Will Retire

The commander of Air Force Plant 42 will retire next month, ending a 20-year military career and a three-year stint as head of the Palmdale facility where the B-2 stealth bomber is assembled.

Lt. Col. Scott Allen said he considered seeking a promotion to full colonel, but family reasons have persuaded him to retire instead.

“I felt it was time to go home,” said Allen.

Allen, 42, has since July, 1990, been commander of Plant 42, an Air Force test and production facility where Northrop does final assembly on the B-2 stealth bomber and where Lockheed has its top secret Skunk Works operation.

The announcement of Allen’s retirement, which he said he requested several months ago, comes as Plant 42 faces closure of its airfield for as many as 11 days a month because of federal budget cuts.

A change-of-command ceremony is tentatively scheduled for July 13, although Allen said that may be delayed if his successor has not been chosen by then.