Operational Test and Evaluation Force The Operational Test and Evaluation Force ( OPTEVFOR ) serves as independent and objective agency within the United States Navy for the operational testing and evaluation ( OT & E ) of naval aviation , surface warfare , submarine warfare , C4I , cryptologic , and space systems in support Navy and U . S . Department of Defense acquisition programs . Background . OPTEVFOR traces its origins to the final months of World War II when the need arose for an effective means to combat Japanese kamikaze attacks . On 2 July 1945 , the Composite Task Force , U . S . Atlantic Fleet , was formed to develop tactics and evaluate equipment to counter the Kamikazes . This force was commanded by Vice Admiral Willis A . Lee , USN , and consisted of miscellaneous types of combatant ships and drone aircraft . Following the end of World War II , the Composite Task Force was consolidated with other fleet units doing development work and in December 1947 , was re - designated as the Operational Development Force ( OPDEVFOR ) , with the force commander flying his flag on the USS " Adirondack " ( AGC 15 ) , as an operational command reporting to Commanderic - Chief of te U . S . Atlantic Fleet . In 1949 , the command moved ashore to the Norfolk Naval Base . With its expanding OT & E responsibilities , a subordinate liaison command , located the San Diego Naval Base , created to serve as a liaison with the U . S . Pacific Fleet . VX - 6 was one of six air development squadrons formed by the United States Navy beginning in 1946 to develop and evaluate aircraft tactics and techniques . These squadrons were initially directed by the Operational Development Force , which was redesignated in May 1959 as the Operational Test and Evaluation Force ( OPTEVFOR ) . These six squadrons were initially designated as VX - 1 ( tail code " XA " ) , VX - 2 ( tail code " XB " ) , VX - 3 ( tail code " XC " ) , VX - 4 ( tail code " XF " ) , VX - 5 ( tail code " XE " ) and VX - 6 ( tail code " XD " ) . On 1 January 1969 , the surviving Air Development Squadrons ( VX - 1 , VX - 4 , VX - 5 and VX - 6 ) became Air Test and Evaluation Squadrons . Their designations were changed to VXE - 1 , VXE - 4 , VXE - 5 and VXE - 6 . Their tail codes of these squadrons were changed to " JA " , " JF " , " JE " and " JD " , respectively . In May 1959 , the command was renamed Operational Test and Evaluation Force ( OPTEVFOR ) to reflect more accurately its increased responsibilities regarding weapon systems and tactics testing and evaluation ( T & E ) . In 1960 , the OPTEVFOR headquarters moved to its present location , mocated off Terminal Boulevard near the U . S . Atlantic Fleet headquarters . Due to Congressional and DOD initiatives to improve the defense acquisition process , in 1971 , OPTEVFOR was designated the Navy ' s sole ( OT & E ) agency , with greater involvement in the research and development ( R & D ) process and production decision - making process . In keeping with these expanded responsibilities , the Force Commander ( COMOPTEVFOR ) began reporting directly to the Chief of Naval Operations ( CNO ) . Mission . Scope of Responsibilities . COMOPTEVFOR provides OT & E policy direction , technical and procedural guidance , and financial support for the independent and objective testing and evaluation of the systems and tactics at the direction of the Chief of Naval Operations ( CNO ) . For operational control of fleet units , COMOPTEVFOR reports to the Commander , U . S . Fleet Forces Command ( COMUSFLTFORCOM ) ; the Commander Pacific Fleet ( COMPACFLT ) ; and the Commander , U . S . Naval Forces Europe ( COMUSNAVEUR ) . It also closely follows all R & D programs within the Navy and its laboratories , with the CNO authorizing direct liaison between COMOPTEVFOR and the heads of development agencies involving all technical matters for Navy research , development , testing , and evaluation . Evaluation of systems are done by personnel with technical experience with the equipment being tested and evaluated . Finally , OPTEVFOR coordinates operational test and evaluation ( OT & E ) activities with the operational test agencies of the other U . S . military services as well as the DOD Director of Operational Test and Evaluation , who establishes operational test policy for the U . S . Defense Department . Fleet RDT & E Support Process . The Fleet Research , Development , Test & Evaluation ( RDT & E ) Support Process conforms to the most current version of SECNAVINST 5000 . 2 pertaining to Navy or multi - service testing and evaluation ( T & E ) activities . It recommends that T & E requests for fleet commander support be made in writing , via CNO - OPNAV ( N091 / N912 ) , nine ( 9 ) month prior to the actual testing activity . The Fleet RDT & E Support Process defines the appropriiate formats for request for T & E activities . Fleet RDT & E Support Process defines the levels of fleet commander support as follows : The Fleet RDT & E Support Process also mandates that all T & E requests be submitted and updated on a quarterly basis beginning nine ( 9 ) months prior to the quarter that the T & R activity in order to provide adequate scheduling for the fleet command , and manates that CNO - OPNAV ( N091 / N912 ) be promptly notified of any cancellations . The Fleet RDT & E Support Process defines prioritization of fleet commander support for T & E activities as follows : Finally , the Fleet RDT & E Support Process also defines unscheduled RDT & E support requirements , including the appropriate format for Emergency Fleet Support Requests . The Commander , Operational Test and Evaluation Force ( COMOPTEVFOR ) is designated as the RDT & E fleet - support scheduling agent for CNO ( N091 ) , including all at - sea operational test and evauation ( OT & E ) activities . Organization . Divisions . Aviation Warfare . The Aviation Warfare Division is responsible for the planning and execution of operational testing and evaluation ( OT & E ) activities pertaining to the Navy and Marine Corps ' aviation acquisition programs . Testing of these programs are done at the following field activities : These programs include strike / fighter , assault weapon , airborne electronic warfare , air - based anti - submarine warfare , aviation maintenance , and trainer systems . C4I & Space . The C4I & Space Division responsible for the planning and execution of operational test and evaluation ( OT & E ) activities pertaining to the Navy ' s ashore and afloat command , control , communications , computer and intelligence ( C4I ) systems . Comptroller . The Comptroller / Resource Management Division provides the plans , programs , and budgets of OPTEVFOR ' s fiscal resources . Expeditionary Warfare . The Expeditionary Warfare Division is responsible for the planning and execution of operational test and evaluation ( OT & E ) activities of Joint Chemical / Biological traditional acquisition programs , Anti - Terrorist Force Protection ( ATFP ) programs , Explosive Ordnance Disposal ( EOD ) , riverine warfare , and diving and salvage programs . Information Resources ( IR ) . The Information Resources Division assists the staff with current and planned automated information systems ( AIS ) , technology and office automation , and telecommunications , including hardware and software support , configuration control and management , requirements analysis and system analysis , design recommendations , and user training . Security . The Security Division oversees and coordinates OPTEVFOR security policy and programs . Surface Warfare . The Surface Warfare Division is responsible for the planning and execution of operational test and evaluation ( OT & E ) activities of U . S . Navy surface ships and associated engineering , auxiliary , combat systems , and systems , as well as the U . S . Coast Guard ' s Deepwater acquisition program . Training . The Training Division provides general military and acquisition - specific training as well as that which is acquisition specific . Undersea Warfare . Tests and evaluates all undersea warfare systems , including submarine , surface and aviation anti - submarine warfare and mine warfare systems . OPTEVFOR Facilities . OPTEVFOR exercises operational control over four aircraft squadrons that conduct operational test and evaluation ( OT & E ) programs : OPTEVFOR also maintains a detachment at the SPAWAR Systems Center Liaison Office at the San Diego Naval Base , California . Task Force 142 . The Operational Test and Evaluation Force ( COMOPTEVFOR ) is listed as Task Force 142 under the United States Fleet Forces Command . However OPTEVFOR is a direct report agency to the Chief of Naval Operations .