HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- Lt. Col. Michelle Willett assumed command of the 846th Test Squadron during a Change of Command Ceremony on June 11, 2026, at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The 846 TS, part of the 704th Test Group at Holloman AFB and a unit of Arnold Engineering Development Complex, conducts rocket sled testing that supports weapon system development and advances combat capabilities for the Department of the Air Force.
Willett joins the squadron with extensive experience spanning flight tests, space systems engineering and developmental test operations.
Prior to assuming command, she served as the Director of Operations for the 445th Test Squadron within the 412th Electronic Warfare Group at Edwards Air Force Base, California. In that role, she oversaw daily operations of the Digital Test and Training Range and Joint Simulation Environment, a state-of-the-art modeling and simulation system used to test and develop next-generation combat capabilities for the warfighter.
Commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2010, Willett has built a career spanning multiple warfighting domains, including F-35 Lightning II flight test, space systems engineering, and software engineering program management.
As a staff officer, she supported national defense initiatives by leading space operations and acquisition integration efforts between the Department of War and the Intelligence Community. She also served as a Program Element Monitor for airborne intelligence, surveillance; and reconnaissance platforms.
A graduate of the first class of the Air Force Test Pilot School Space Test Course, Willett is also an Air Education and Training Command Master Instructor and has twice served as an executive officer.
As commander, Willett now leads a squadron dedicated to delivering critical test capabilities that help ensure weapon systems perform as intended and provide decisive advantages to the warfighter.