By Mr. Michael M. Novogradac, U.S. Army Operational Test Command WEST FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — The unit responsible for testing new and modernized Army equipment bid farewell to its commander via social media during a virtual relinquishment of command ceremony Thursday under COVID-19 pandemic conditions. Col. Ronald R. Ragin, who commanded […]
Soldiers
Ft. Bragg parachute riggers turn air drop testing skills into ‘Operation Iron Mask’ for Coronavirus pandemic
By Maj. Cam Jordan, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Parachute riggers who normally airdrop test Army equipment are using their sewing skills to fabricate protective masks to keep Soldiers and Civilians safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic. In what they have dubbed “Operation Iron Mask,” […]
Field Artillery Soldiers test self-propelled Howitzer upgrade reliability
By Capt. Matt Campbell, Test Officer, Fire Support Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs YUMA PROVING GROUND, Arizona — Fourteen Field Artillery Soldiers here tested new breech upgraded components on the M109A7 self-propelled Howitzer, aimed at increasing the system’s overall reliability. The M109A7 is currently fielded to three battalions and will eventually […]
Airborne test jumpers apply risk reduction tests before equipment tests begin
By Mr. Mike Shelton, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Test jumpers here are making sure Special Operations Forces military freefall (MFF) parachutists can safely use their rucksacks without compromising their missions. Risk reduction testing begins inside vertical wind tunnels, which simulates MFF conditions. Airborne […]
Refueling, rearming system tested by low-velocity air drop at Ft. Bragg improves readiness
By Mr. James Cochran and Mr. William Slaven, Airborne and Special Operations Test Directorate, U.S. Army Operational Test Command FORT BRAGG, North Carolina — Aviation support Soldiers here recently tested an attack helicopter refueling and rearming system by air-dropping it out of U.S. Air Force cargo aircraft. The Forward Area Rearm and Refueling Point (FARRP) […]
Texas college students explore government job options with equipment testing unit
By Michael M. Novogradac, U.S. Army Operational Test Command Public Affairs FORT HOOD (Now designated Fort Cavazos), Texas — Twenty-one students from five Central Texas-area colleges took part in a Career Exploration Day here Tuesday with the Army unit responsible for testing all new and modernized equipment. A short briefing began the day-long event, with […]
