The 46th Test Group transitions to the 96th

by Airman 1st Class Colin Cates
49th Wing Public Affairs

10/10/2012 - HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- After 20 years, the 46th Test Group deactivated at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., Oct. 1.

The group was simultaneously redesignated as the 96th Test Group, which was established at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., in July 2012, as part of a command-wide consolidation effort by Air Force Materiel Command.

"At Eglin AFB, there is the 46th Air Base Wing and the 96th Air Base Wing. [The command] combined the two wings to make the 96th Test Wing," said Charles Webb, 96th Test Group commander. "When the new 96th Test Wing was activated it was apparent that our tenant unit here would follow the new parent organization name."

As part of the transition from 46th Test Group, which was overseen by Air Armament Center, the 96th Test Group will fall under the Air Force Test Center at Edwards AFB, Calif., said Webb.

"The new command structure will improve the way it accomplishes its diverse mission and will provide better support to the warfighter," Webb said.

Air Force Materiel Command transitioned the new command structure in response to a Department of Defense challenge to find efficiencies and save tax dollars.

"The 96th Test Group is a remarkable team doing incredible things for the nation, and I am very excited to be part of everything that we are developing here," Webb said.