704th Test Group

The 704th Test Group (704 TG) at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, is a test unit of the United States Air Force. It forms part of the Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) headquartered at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., which in turn is part of the Air Force Test Center, headquartered at Edwards AFB, California.[1]

The group was (re)established after the inactivation of the 96th Test Group effective 1 December 2016. Upon that occurring, the personnel, equipment and facilities of the former 96th Test Group became the new 704th Test Group. The reorganization aimed to bring most of the Air Force’s developmental ground test facilities under one commander, improve fiscal synergy, especially in restoration and modernization funds, better balance the span of control, and result in developmental opportunities for AFTC officers.

The group includes the 746th and 846th Test Squadrons; the 586th Flight Test Squadron; the 704th Test Support Squadron; Detachment 1 (National RCS Test Facility (NRTF)) measuring Radar cross sections); OL-AA at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, which focuses on directed energy; and OL-AC - Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio which provides aircraft vulnerability reduction and landing gear safety & sustainment capabilities.[1]

In 2012 the Group consists of 90 authorized military, 239 authorized civilians, and 161 authorized contractor personnel with two-thirds of these being scientists, engineers, and technicians. The present day infrastucture investments are estimated at $614 million. They include three AT-38B aircraft and a C-12J aircraft. Annual budget averages about $50 million with about 50% earned through test programs and the remaining 50% is direct budget authority that comes through Air Force Materiel Command to pay salaries and "keep the doors open for business."