May 24, 2023 53rd Wing B-52 executes long-range mine test, advancing maritime capabilities in a contested environment A B-52H Stratofortress attached to the 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron validated the ability to deploy inert Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) QuickStrike Extended Range (QS-ER) mines from a standoff distance of more than 40 miles off the coast of Kauai, Hawaii at the Pacific Missile Range
May 13, 2023 53rd Wing tests Angry Kitten Pod on MQ-9 and completes Full Integrated Combat Turn in record time The 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed the first round of MQ-9A Reaper ground and flight testing with the Angry Kitten ALQ-167 Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) Pod at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada Apr. 10-28, 2023.
April 26, 2023 53rd Wing completes Operational Testing of B-1B Sustainment Block-18 software The 337th Test and Evaluation Squadron completed the Field Development Evaluation (FDE) of Sustainment Block-18 (SB-18), a major software block upgrade providing new capabilities and improvements to the B-1B Lancer avionics suite, in late March, 2023.
April 11, 2023 53rd Wing uses Ex Black Flag to validate Tactical C2 capabilities for ground and air forces The 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron Command and Control (C2) Division built upon their previous work by expanding the use of a mobile C2 concept to include simultaneous operations from an airborne C-17 and a Mobile Tactical C2 vehicle during exercise Black Flag 23-1 in late February, 2023.
March 1, 2023 82nd ATRS Detachment 1 trains using QF-16 Vipers at Holloman On clear and sunny days, the orange-winged QF-16 Vipers can be seen soaring through the sky… sometimes on their way to be shot down during an exercise.
Feb. 16, 2023 29th Training Systems Squadron redesignated as 29th Test and Evaluation Squadron In order to better reflect its alignment with the 753rd Test and Evaluation Group within the 53rd Wing, the 29th Training Systems Squadron has been redesignated to the 29th Test and Evaluation Squadron, as of Feb. 16, 2023.
Jan. 30, 2023 53rd Wing’s MUSTANGS: the future of agile data capture and ACE capability The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron hit major milestones in the development and testing of their Multi-Utilization Secure Tactical And Network Ground Station (MUSTANGS) through its recent participation in PACIFIC EDGE 22.
Jan. 12, 2023 53rd Wing unveils DoD’s newest Cyber Facility After nearly four years of construction, the Department of Defense’s newest cyber facility has been officially activated as of Jan. 10, 2023, housing the 53rd Computer Systems Squadron at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.
Dec. 12, 2022 Air Force conducts first ARRW operational prototype missile test Reached hypersonic speeds greater than five times the speed of sound, completed its flight path and detonated in the terminal area.
Nov. 23, 2022 53rd Wing A-10C pilot receives the Distinguished Flying Cross for Combat Ops Maj. Gen. R. Scott Jobe, Director of Plans, Programs, and Requirements, Headquarters Air Combat Command, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia, presented Maj. Kyle "Metric" Adkison, 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron A-10C Operational Test pilot, the Distinguished Flying Cross with combat device on