Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. -- Wing Commander Joseph Rigg took over as Deputy Director of the United Operational Test Team (UOTT) from Lt. Col. Brent Carroll April 18.
Wg Cdr Rigg is a qualified weapons instructor from the British Royal Air Force (RAF). He previously served as an F-35A operational test pilot at the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (TES) through the Military Personnel Exchange Program. Since November 2024 he has served as the Chief Operational Test Director for the UOTT at the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center (AFOTEC) Detachment 6 at Nellis AFB.
The UOTT is tasked with conducting Follow-on Operational Test and Evaluation of all three variants of the F-35. The UOTT was previously U.S. only, but since October 2023 it has evolved into a multiservice, multinational test team. It is comprised of representatives from the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy, Royal Air Force, and Royal Australian Air Force. UOTT members are located at Nellis AFB, Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz., and Edwards AFB, Calif.
The UOTT plans and carries out open air testing in collaboration with four F-35 operational test squadrons that includes the Air Force’s 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron at Nellis, the Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One (VMX-1) at Yuma, Ariz., The Navy’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron Nine (VX-9) at Edwards, and the RAF’s 17th Test and Evaluation Squadron (17 TES). In addition to open air testing, the team also works closely with the Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) to validate F-35 models in support of the JSE’s test and training mission.
Wg Cdr Rigg assumed the position of Deputy Director under the direction of U.S. Air Force Col. John Wagemann and marks a historic moment for the UOTT. The UOTT Director role is held by the commander of AFOTEC Detachment 6, but the Deputy position has previously been held by USAF, USMC, and USN personnel. Passing the deputy role to the RAF helps deepen the UOTT’s international ties.
“It is a huge privilege to take on the role of Deputy Director at such an exciting time in the F-35 program,” said Wg Cdr Rigg. “The level of expertise resident in the UOTT from our three countries, across military, government, and civilian personnel is truly humbling. As the UK expands its footprint within the UOTT, we have one common goal: make the F-35 warfighter more lethal.”
The UOTT Deputy Director is responsible for planning operational testing objectives, directing data analysis priorities, reporting on F-35 effectiveness and suitability, and interfacing with the F-35 Joint Program Office and Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company.
“Wg Cdr Rigg is an exceptional RAF officer, who has been a key member of the 422nd TES,” said Col. Wagemann. “It has been a pleasure to work with him so far, and I know he’ll continue to do great things for our organization in the future. I’m grateful for the knowledge and expertise our British and Australian teammates have brought to the UOTT, and I look forward to deepening ties and continued collaboration in support of our shared F-35 Operational Test goals.”
Beyond the change of senior leadership, the UOTT is also expecting several new Australian and British scientists and engineers to join the team in the coming months. The new personnel will work directly with existing U.S. analysts and engineers to inform joint warfighters of the F-35's capabilities.