Combined Test Force and Tunnel 9 Continues to make facility the ‘go-to place,’ site director says

  • Published
  • By Deidre Ortiz
  • AEDC/PA
ARNOLD AIR FORCE BASE, TENN. --  "Tunnel 9 has operated under a Combined Test Force (CTF) construct from day one at Arnold Engineering Development Complex (AEDC)," said Dan Marren, director of the AEDC White Oak, Md., site.

According to Marren, when Tunnel 9 transitioned from the U.S. Navy in 1998, the staff consisted of 100 percent civilians executing all technical and managerial team functions for customers and stakeholders.

"After transition to the U.S. Air Force we lost some good folks and had to backfill with contractors," he said. "This was our first opportunity to function as a CTF. It was not out of desire but necessity. 

"On day one we were busy doing critical testing for the DOD (Department of Defense). Our customers could not wait while we figured out organizations and hang charts. We hired based on minimum critical skills and got right to work."

Marren explained that over time employees' unique skills, rather than the company they worked for, came to define the organization around an important mission.

"The company they worked for was less important, and we still today hire based on skills and fill the critical positions with the very best people available regardless of where they came from," he said.

While line functions still occur, Marren said Tunnel 9 customers aren't able to tell who works for what organization.

"Every individual is empowered to help the customer in every way they know how. This is one reason customers love coming here and they tell everyone they know the same."

Being geographically separated also plays a part in personnel roles at Tunnel 9.

"We have teams of comingled civilians and contractors who also comingle functions," Marren said. "What I mean by that is a single test engineer also performs strategic planning and technology development related to high speed systems. A test operator may also be a chief technician on a particular system and is responsible for not only operations but maintenance and investment for that system. 

"To take that a step further, each individual involved in test operations may also have several roles in site operations. Since we have to essentially run a mini-base out here, we rely on the expertise of our operations personnel to help keep the site safe, secure and efficient."

Marren stated that in looking to the future, the CTF concept will be largely beneficial to AEDC.

"Col. Timothy West is correct when he talks about 'one team, one fight,'" he said. "When we have the same motivation for excellent results and a desire to get the job done, everybody wins. This structure won't change our operations much since we operate this way today."

Joe Norris, the contractor workforce manager at Tunnel 9, said that "the relationship between the government team and contractor team is very strong and operates in a virtually seamless manner. The CTF structure allows employees to provide the best possible test product to the customer as well as enhance their experience working with AEDC."

Marren added, "I look forward to continuing in the manner that has made Tunnel 9 the go to place in the world for what we do. The freedom to innovate that our folks enjoy comes from the fact that their teammates have their back regardless of team and that they know that the right skills are here for any job needing doing."