18th Flight Test Squadron The 18th Flight Test Squadron ( FLTS ) is an independent field test agency of the Air Force Special Operations Command located at Hurlburt Field , Florida with one detachment at Edwards Air Force Base , California . The 18th FLTS evaluates aircraft , equipment and tactics in realistic battlespace environments to provide decision makers accurate , timely and complete assessments of mission capability . From concept development to system fielding , the unit ' s mission improves the survivability and combat capability of special operations forces worldwide . Units . The 18th FLTS is composed of approximately 96 people . The squadron consists of seven flights : fixed wing , vertical lift , operations analysis , combat applications , special missions , instrumentation and mission support . The one detachment at Edwards Air Force Base , which is responsible for operational test and evaluation and tactics development and evaluation of the MV / CV - 22 Osprey and supports Headquarters Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center in conducting joint tests with the Navy and Marine Corps . SMOTEC filled a unique role by exploring new frontiers in special operations capabilities and developed better equipment and tactics to support Air Force special operations forces located throughout the world . It provided AFSOC with the centralized expertise needed for development and operational testing of new systems and tactics , proposed changes in doctrine , and recommended new requirements . The unit ' s co - location with the 1st SOW made it ideally suited to perform the mission of improving the worldwide Air Force aim of special operations forces . On 1 October 1993 the 1st SOW was redesignated as the 16th SOW . SMOTEC remained a direct reporting unit to Headquarters AFSOC until 31 March 1994 . On 1 April 1994 , Air Force organizational changes dictated the unit ' s inactivation and realignment under the 18th Flight Test Squadron , also a direct reporting unit to HQ AFSOC . History . The 18th FLTS lineage traces back to the 18th Bombardment Squadron activated 15 Jan 1941 . Flying the PT - 17 Stearman , B - 18 Bolo and B - 17 Flying Fortress , the squadron supported Allied actions in Europe during World War II . Following victory in Europe , the unit was inactivated 18 Aug 1945 . The 18th returned to action as the 18th Special Operations Squadron 25 Jan 1969 . Activated at Lockbourne Air Force Base , Ohio , and deployed to Phan Rang Air Base , South Vietnam , the 18th SOS flew the AC - 119K gunship . The squadron ' s primary mission was the interdiction of enemy supply lines , close air support , and air base defense . Following the transfer of the aircraft to the South Vietnamese Air Force , the 18th SOS was inactivated 31 Dec 1972 . On 1 Oct 1983 , the Special Missions Operations Test and Evaluation Center ( SMOTEC ) was activated at Hurlburt Field by order of the Secretary of the Air Force as a direct reporting unit of Headquarters Military Airlift Command at Scott Air Force Base . SMOTEC was formed through the consolidation of the test and evaluation function previously assigned to the 1550th Aircrew Training and Test Wing , located at Kirtland Air Force Base , New Mexico , which was responsible for combat rescue and related test . It was also responsible for the informal test and evaluation staffs of the 2nd Air Division and the 1st Special Operations Wing , at Hurlburt Field . Though testing was reassigned to SMOTEC in October 1983 , most of the testing continued at Kirtland for the reminder of that year . Lineage . 18th Bombardment Squadron 18 Special Operations Squadron Much of this text in this article was taken from USAFSOC which as a work of the U . S . Government is presumed to be a public domain resource .