The CTF was formed by the Air National Guard Air Force Reserve Command Test Center (AATC), marking the Air Reserve Component’s (ARC) increased role in advanced fighter technology testing. AATC pilots have been integral to the Eglin test community for some time, frequently flying Developmental Test (DT) and Operational Test (OT) missions alongside the 96th Test Wing and 53rd Wing aircraft.
This new unit reflects the importance of enhancing reserve component testing capabilities for fifth-generation aircraft. According to Maj. Gen. Duke Pirak, the Air National Guard’s acting director, “Coordinating and streamlining across the Total Force by tirelessly testing, evaluating, and extrapolating our capabilities is how we bring the future faster.”
Traditionally, the ARC has operated legacy fighter platforms, but the CTF marks a shift towards incorporating fifth-generation aircraft into its operational scope. This development positions the ARC as a more active participant in worldwide combat operations beyond its traditional support role.
Col. Daniel J. Wittmer, AATC commander, highlighted the CTF’s purpose, stating, “We are primarily accountable to the warfighter. Our weapons and tactics process creates a bottom-up approach to solving critical capability gaps for warfighters across all mission sets in all areas of responsibility.”
The CTF aims to modernise testing processes while maintaining efficiency. AATC’s model focuses on delivering an 80% solution at 20% of the cost, prioritising impactful modifications and streamlined testing to address critical capability gaps effectively.
