31st Test and Evaluation Squadron

31st Test and Evaluation Squadron
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II 09-5006. This aircraft was assigned to the squadron in March, 2013 for Operational Testing in how to best operate the aircraft in a combat environment.
Active	1917–1919; 1923–1931; 1931–1963; 1986–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Edwards AFB, California
Nickname(s)	Desert Pirates
Engagements	World War I World War II (Pacific Theater) Korean War
Commanders
Notable commanders	Carl Spaatz
Insignia
31st Test and Evaluation Squadron emblem

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron (31 TES) is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the 53d Test and Evaluation Group, stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. The 31 TES is an Air Combat Command (ACC) tenant unit at Edwards, providing personnel to support combined test and evaluation on Air Force weapons systems.

The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 26 June 1917, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to England as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and later became part of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) during the Cold War.

The squadron provides Air Combat Command personnel to support combined test and evaluation on Air Force weapons systems. The unit also provides the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico, and Air Force Materiel Command. with elite test team members who have an operational perspective to perform test and evaluation on Combat Air Force systems.

The 31st TES is one of the oldest squadrons in the Air Force, its origins dating to 26 June 1917. Over this time, members of the squadron took part in World War I, World War II, and the Korean War.

The 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron traces its history to the organization of the 31st Aero Squadron at Kelly Field, Texas, on 26 June 1917, shortly after the United States' entry into World War I. The first commander of the squadron was 1st Lieutenant John E. Rossel. It received personnel from First Company, B Provisional Battalion. About the first of July, orders were received to equip the squadron for overseas duty. The entire month of July was spent in drill and preparation for foreign service. Captain Carl Spaatz, who would later go on to become the first Chief of Staff of the United States Air Force. was placed in command on 13 July, bringing with him several men of previous military experience, who added much to the efficiency of the organization.