AFSOC analyst receives national award Published March 22, 2011 By Ashley M. Wright Air Force Special Operations Command HURLBURT FIELD, Fla. -- An 18th Flight Test Squadron analyst recently received national recognition for his professional accomplishments as the 2010 National Defense Industrial Association Civilian Tester of the Year. Bill Nix, 18 FLTS operations research analyst, was chosen as the top Defense Department tester by the association. "I was surprised," said the Enterprise, Ala. native. According to the award citation, Mr. Nix displayed leadership and dedication to 16 command-directed test and evaluation programs worth over $3 million and planned methodology for 260 operational test flight hours. In addition, he verified effectiveness of new weapons systems, upgrades and tactics for 15 special operations major weapons systems worldwide in direct support of Overseas Contingency Operations. The squadron performs a variety of tests, and that is the best part of his job, Mr. Nix said. "We are Air Force Special Operations Command's tester," he said. "It could be a new system, an update to an old system or we could just do an operational assessment for some piece of equipment to see how well it works...we don't do the same thing over and over." Other types of tests conducted by the teams at the 18 FLTS include force development evaluations, tactics development and evaluation and operational utility evaluation. Mr. Nix and his teams worked on a variety of these tests for 2010 including the standoff precision-guided munitions and the battlefield airmen operations kit, which is a series of equipment for the combat controllers and joint terminal attack controllers. "We test requirements," Mr. Nix said. "Anything that doesn't meet the stated requirements is identified." The Auburn University graduate is already an award winner for one critical test under U.S. Special Operations Command. The 'Project Dragon Spear Joint Acquisition Task Force' received the 15th annual William J. Perry Award, recognizing public or private sector leadership or achievement that results in significant contributions to the development of precision strike systems. Developed by AFSOC, 'Dragon Spear' is the roll-on, roll-off precision strike package used on MC-130W aircraft in AFSOC's inventory. This capability allows aircrew to provide precision strike weaponry on the battlefield, as well as dual high-definition Intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance targeting sensors, multiple video uplinks, downlinks and communications advancements. Mr. Nix believes the win was possible due to all the support from people at the 18 FLTS. "Our strength is qualified personnel, which enable us to test easier," Mr. Nix said. The NDIA is a leading defense industry association promoting national security, according to the organization's website.