Colonel Dan ''Animal'' Javorsek, PhD

Colonel Dan Javorsek is the Commander of Detachment 6, Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center, Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., and Director, F-35 U.S. Operational Test Team. AFOTEC’s Detachment 6 plans, conducts, and reports on realistic, objective, and impartial operational test and evaluation of fighter aircraft. The detachment evaluates the operational effectiveness, suitability, and mission capability of the F-35, F-22, F-15C/E, F-16, and A-10, and reports results in support of major acquisition program milestone decisions and combatant command fielding decisions. Prior to assuming his current role, Colonel Javorsek was a program manager in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Strategic Technology Office. His research and development programs were tied to the development of key technologies required to realize Mosaic Warfare and Joint All-Domain Command and Control. In a previous command role, he served as a squadron commander and director of a combined test force conducting high-priority next generation air dominance flight tests of unique experimental aircraft. Colonel Javorsek received his commission from Purdue University Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1999, where he was a distinguished graduate, earning a bachelor’s degree in aeronautical engineering summa cum laude. He is a command pilot with more than 1,800 flying hours and is a distinguished graduate of the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Class 07B. His prior operational and flight test assignments include service in the 523rd Fighter Squadron at Cannon AFB, N.M.; 445th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.; 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.; 411th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif.; and tours as a director of operations and wing chief of safety