Home page of Arnold Air Force Base

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Owen Baskin, a mechanical engineering student at Tennessee Technological University, is currently interning with Beyond New Horizons at Arnold Air Force Base, headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. Baskin said the internship has allowed him to gain additional knowledge in his field of study while also learning about his family’s connection to the base that spans generations. (U.S. Air Force Photo by Keith Thornburgh)
David Pickering (U.S. Air Force photo)
A J-47 engine is prepared for open-air testing prior to being test fired on Aug. 27, 1953. This instrumentation test, which occurred near the then-under-construction Engine Test Facility at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., was conducted using a specially designed and constructed thrust stand. The first turbojet engine test conducted at Arnold was initiated on May 3, 1954, in the T-1 test cell of the ETF on a J-47 engine. (U.S. Air Force photo)
The team of Arnold Engineering Development Complex professionals who recently traveled to Turgi, Switzerland, pose for a photo. During their visit, the team completed factory acceptance testing and training for the Engine Test Facility Plant Variable Frequency Starter System. Pictured left to right, are Rocco Simeri, Kenneth Taylor, Albert Velazquez, Travis Smith, ABB lead trainer Razvan Coman, John Bearden, James Rogers, and Zachary Grosch. (Courtesy photo)
Air Force Test Center Commander and former Arnold Engineering Development Complex commander Maj. Gen. Scott Cain, standing left, and outgoing AEDC Commander Col. Grant Mizell, right, unveil a plaque commemorating the rededication of the Complex during the AEDC 75th anniversary open house celebration June 27, 2026, at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of AEDC. AEDC was originally dedicated by then-President Harry S. Truman on June 25, 1951, in honor of the late Gen. Henry “Hap” Arnold. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)
The American flag flies atop the pole in front of the Administration and Engineering Building at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of Arnold Engineering Development Complex. The AEDC Safety team is encouraging team members to familiarize themselves with proper procedures when the music is played across the installation daily at 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)
Senior Airman Christopher Bradbury, center left, and 1st Lt. Thomas Baldwin, center right, ceremonially seal the Arnold Engineering Development Complex time capsule unveiled June 27, 2026, during the AEDC 75th anniversary open house celebration at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of AEDC. Former AEDC commander pictured seated, from left, are retired Air Force Col. Larry Graviss, retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Mike Wiedemer, retired Maj. Gen. Michael Brewer, retired Col. Raymond Toth and Maj. Gen. Scott Cain. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)
Lt. Col. Jason Thomas, commander of the 716th Test Squadron, left, and other members of the 716 TS team, discuss aircraft testing models on display during the Arnold Engineering Development Complex 75th anniversary open house celebration June 27, 2026, at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of AEDC. The public open house was held to coincide with the original June 25, 1951, dedication of AEDC. The history and accomplishments of AEDC throughout its first 75 years were showcased during the open house. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)
Col. Wayne Dirkes, second from right, accepts the guidon from Air Force Test Center Commander Maj. Gen. Scott Cain, left, to assume command of Arnold Engineering Development Complex during a June 27, 2026, Change of Command ceremony at Arnold Air Force Base, Tenn., headquarters of AEDC. The ceremony took place during the AEDC 75th anniversary open house celebration held on the same date at Arnold AFB. Prior to his latest assignment, Dirkes commanded the 704th Test Group, a unit of AEDC headquartered at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Also pictured are outgoing AEDC Commander Col. Grant Mizell, right, and AEDC Senior Enlisted Leader Chief Master Sgt. Evan McCoy. (U.S. Air Force photo by Keith Thornburgh)
U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Neil Grigsby, right, assumes command of the 746th Test Squadron from U.S. Air Force Col. Wayne Dirkes, then-704th Test Group commander and current Arnold Engineering Development Complex commander, during a change of command ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico, June 10, 2026. The passing of the guidon symbolizes the formal transfer of authority, responsibility and accountability from one commander to another. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Jose Veras)
Lt. Col. Samuel Wright III, right, takes the guidon from then-704th Test Group commander and current Arnold Engineering Development Complex Commander Col. Wayne Dirkes to assume command of the 586th Flight Test Squadron during a June 9, 2026, Change of Command ceremony at Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. Wright brings to his latest assignment more than 2,800 military flight hours as a development test pilot and evaluator pilot in more than 30 aircraft types. (U.S. Air Force photo)
No Proposal for AI Data Center at Arnold AFB

AEDC shield The Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC) provides more than 90 developmental test and evaluation capabilities to the nation to meet the demands of the National Defense Strategy. Located in eight states, AEDC is one of three wing-level organizations within Air Force Test Center (AFTC), which is one of six centers within the Air Force Materiel Command. View/Read AEDC's Test Capability Guide.
Our Mission: Provide world-class test expertise and environments, enabling early solutions that accelerate war-winning capabilities.
Our Vision: Our nation’s aerospace advantage--relevant, resilient, collaborative and adaptive...fully integrated into a digitally-based acquisition process, providing world-class test solutions for our defense partners