EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Thankfulness was the theme of the 96th Test Wing commander’s town hall meetings at the Enlisted Heritage Hall Nov. 24.
Brig. Gen. Mark Massaro thanked people for mission commitment and for looking out for each other.
He touched on many 96th TW’s 2025 mission accomplishments.
The 96th Maintenance Group’s work with the 96th Range Group to reconfigure F-16 Fighting Falcons for the Viper Experimentation and Next-gen Operational Model, or VENOM, program to test autonomy software was highlighted.
“We’re developing that capability for future applications for our warfighters,” Massaro said.
MXG’s work on the flying program resulted in more flying by the wing than ever before.
He also highlighted the Range Group’s work on setting up instrumentation at sites along the Panhandle of Florida, north and south of Tampa, and the Florida Keys to capture data and monitor weapons testing.
The commander also spoke about autonomous surfboards, equipped with cameras to collect data for use in long range weapons testing. The 96th Cyberspace Test Group supported Long range testing by testing data control and command and control data links.
The CTG will stand up the Long-Range Weapons Kill Chain Combined Task Force, where multiple wings will work on the LRKC mission portfolio.
"[This portfolio] tests a variety of different command and control data links we need to put in place to be able to sense a target, shoot a target from very long distances, and communicate that information to see what’s going on,” Massaro said.
SEEK Eagle, MXG and the 96th Operations Group worked on the Fixed Wing, Air Launched, Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems Ordnance, a low-cost, air-to-air counter-unmanned aerial weapons, ensuring it could be safely employed from the F-15E.
“FALCO was critical to our warfighters,” the commander said. “We responded in a very short turn to get a combat capability out to [U.S. Central Command], and they were able to employ it successfully.”
The 96th Medical Group provided services in a resource constrained environment while also undergoing a lot of organizational change.
Massaro talked about the 96th Civil Engineer Group’s work, focusing on the base’s taxiway. Eglin’s runways and taxiways also used by commercial aircraft showed heavy wear and tear.
“[CEG] repaved taxiway hotel at the beginning of the year, and we have a plan to completely rebuild it,” the commander said. “[CEG] redesigned that taxiway and is going to be doing some work in the next year to reinforce it and make it more efficient.”
The 96th Mission Support Group played a very large role in Massaro’s base defense priority developing a background check system for customers accessing Eglin Test and Training Range and waterways for recreational activities. The MSG and OG are also working on the c-UAS mission, preparing the base's defense against aerial threats.
The 96th Force Support Squadron worked through childcare challenges due to the government shutdown, and the 96th Communications Squadron kept communications flowing with its existing infrastructure.
The commander admitted there was much more work done by various wing organizations to keep things moving forward that he didn’t mention.
“You all have done this work in every way, shape or form,” he acknowledged. “The successes we have in 2025 and will continue to do in 2026 is because of the people, our Airmen, capital A. Those that wear uniforms and those that wear collared shirts. It’s all you, and I am happy and thankful to be part of this team.”