On the event of the MCAS Yuma airshow 2026, we had the chance to interview the Chief Operational Check Director and Chief Check Pilot of Marine Operational Check & Analysis Squadron (VMX) 1.
After talking final 12 months with the Commanding Officer of VMX-1, Colonel John “Ike” Dirk, we realized that understanding the squadron’s mission goes past what’s written in its constitution; it’s about seeing how these targets are literally put into observe. VMX-1’s true influence is pushed by its management and the devoted take a look at pilots and Marines who flip new applied sciences into confirmed mission success for the warfighter.
The 2026 MCAS Yuma Air Present, marking the sixtieth anniversary of the occasion, as soon as once more supplied a celebration of Marine aviation. This 12 months’s present additionally featured an surprising addition, as the US Navy Blue Angels carried out at Yuma following the cancellation of the El Centro Air Present. This marked their first look at MCAS Yuma in almost 40 years. Air exhibits illustrate capabilities to the general public, nevertheless, the true work occurs within the rigorous testing and integration required to convey that energy to the fleet.
In opposition to that backdrop, Marine aviation is shifting towards a extra built-in future. It’s an setting the place platforms must work collectively throughout each area, and the place staying forward isn’t nearly shopping for new {hardware}; it’s about perfecting the ways and information sharing that make the gear efficient. VMX-1 sits proper on the heart of that evolution.
This 12 months, quite than specializing in the command perspective, we flip to one of many squadron’s key operational leaders, Main Alec “Cosmo” Rackish, Chief Operational Check Director and Chief Check Pilot at VMX-1. As a graduate of the U.S. Air Drive Check Pilot College and a former member of VX-31, the Mud Devils at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake. Main Rackish brings each fleet and developmental take a look at expertise to Marine Corps operational analysis.
Final 12 months, we targeted on the squadron’s construction and modernization roadmap. This time, we’re trying on the operational aspect: how a ‘take a look at tradition’ truly drives decision-making and the way classes from the AV-8B Harrier nonetheless inform our work as we speak. In the end, it’s about how VMX-1 ensures new know-how isn’t simply superior; it must be tactically prepared for the Fleet Marine Forces.
Through the 2026 MCAS Yuma Air Present, we spoke with Main Rackish about his background, his position inside VMX-1, and the challenges of operational testing in an period outlined by integration, expeditionary operations, and fast functionality growth.
Interview with Main Alec Rackish
Background & VMX-1
Query: For starters, can we study somewhat bit about your background? The place are your from, the place did you go to highschool, and what made you select a profession as a U.S. Marine Pilot?
Reply: I grew up in Williamsport, PA. I attended the College of Notre Dame the place I obtained a B.S in Aerospace Engineering. Whereas finding out at Notre Dame, I had mates within the Naval ROTC program who sparked my preliminary curiosity in navy aviation and led to me accepting a summer season place as an Electronics Warfare take a look at engineer at Edwards Air Drive Base.
Whereas at Edwards AFB I spotted that I couldn’t cross on the chance to fly navy plane. After returning to Notre Dame from Edwards AFB, I started reaching out to the ROTC departments and ultimately was put involved with a Marine Corps Officer Recruiting Station.
For readers who is probably not acquainted with VMX-1, how would you describe the squadron’s mission and its position inside Marine Corps aviation, significantly from an operational take a look at perspective?
VMX-1 is the Marine Corps’ Operational Check and Analysis squadron, conducting Operational Check of Marine aviation programs and associated capabilities to tell acquisition and fielding choices. The objective of VMX-1 is to characterize these programs for the warfighter previous to implementation, permitting the ultimate customers, the fleet, to be as deadly and efficient as doable.
Along with conducting Operational Check, VMX-1 is charged with performing ways growth, Science and Know-how experimentation work, and tactical demonstrations.
With that mission as context, you at present function the Chief Operational Check Director and Chief Check Pilot at VMX-1. What obligations fall below these roles, and the way do you personally contribute to shaping operational take a look at outcomes?
Because the Chief Operational Check Director, my position is to function the Commanding Officer’s major advisor because it pertains to all Check and Analysis carried out by the squadron, whereas serving in a mentorship and steerage position to the squadron’s take a look at undertaking Division Heads and particular person Operational Check Administrators. I’m liable for making certain that the squadron’s take a look at applications are safely and effectively conducting take a look at planning, execution, and reporting inside schedule and funds.
VMX-1 has six several types of plane (F-35B, MV-22, CH-53K, AH-1Z, UH-1Y, and MQ-9A) together with a C4I division, a Fires division, and a Science and Know-how Division, which requires balancing squadron sources, personnel, and the schedule of particular person departments.
The Chief Operational Check Director position and Chief Check Pilot position have plenty of overlap. The coaching I obtained as a graduate of the U.S. Air Drive Check Pilot College is admittedly what informs the position of Chief Check Pilot. By contributing as mandatory to make sure there are particular take a look at fundamentals current through the planning course of and that acceptable dangers are recognized and mitigated by means of Risk Hazard Evaluation so as to guarantee protected take a look at execution.
You’re moving into VMX-1 at a time when Marine aviation is deeply built-in throughout platforms and domains. Out of your private perspective, what initially stood out to you about this project if you have been chosen for the job?
The vast majority of Marine Corps take a look at pilots comply with a reasonably distinct path: attend Check Pilot College with a follow-on project as a developmental take a look at pilot in your particular plane (or a small variety of comparable platforms), which is usually what I did. VMX-1 supplied a novel alternative to proceed to develop as a take a look at pilot and increase my take a look at expertise. Testing throughout a number of platforms and inside the built-in nature of Marine Corps aviation and aviation help, which is the crux of VMX-1’s mission, supplied an intriguing problem that drew me in the direction of pursuing a job at VMX-1.
VX-31 & Check Tradition
After your commencement from US Air Drive Check Pilot College, you reported into VX-31 at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, CA. VX-31, the Mud Devils, has a protracted status for high-tempo, high-complexity operational testing. What elements of VX-31’s take a look at tradition most formed the way you method threat, information, and decision-making as we speak?
I used to be extremely lucky to be surrounded by nice leaders and friends throughout my time at VX-31 who had a wealth of information and expertise. The professionalism of that group in its method to check planning, whether or not it was for weapons testing, software program updates, or Giant Drive Check Workouts like Grey Flag, ensured that you just recognized and analyzed the related dangers and information assortment necessities for the particular take a look at you have been going to execute.
That evaluation throughout planning simplified the decision-making course of throughout take a look at execution as a result of there was nearly definitely a plan in place for any state of affairs that might come up and a staff prepared to offer considerate inputs on the uncommon incidence when one thing surprising occurred.
VX-31 pilots usually function on the intersection of engineering intent and fleet actuality. Are you able to describe a second throughout your time there when operational suggestions essentially modified how a system or tactic was evaluated?
Throughout my time at VX-31, the AV-8B was approaching its sunset inside the USMC. Because of the restricted remaining lifetime of the AV-8B, our capability so as to add and enhance capabilities for the Harrier was restricted. This meant that each choice we made concerning capabilities for the fleet have been primarily based on operational suggestions.
AV-8B Developmental Check (VX-31) and Operational Check (VX-9) labored hand-in-hand by means of the take a look at course of to offer early operational seems to be at capabilities through the first phases of the design course of in order that it might be tailored and developed to greatest meet the fleets want. Particularly, the fleets inputs drove functionality developments in JSOW integration for the AV-8B and the flexibility to make use of Superior Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) rockets within the AV-8B, air-to-air mode.
How did working alongside engineers, maintainers, and analysts at VX-31 affect the way you talk take a look at outcomes now?
The engineers, maintainers, and analysts are all an essential a part of the take a look at staff, so making certain that they perceive the take a look at targets and outcomes is essential to the success of this system. It’s crucial that pilots collaborate with them early in growth during to the ultimate product as a result of they’re those with the flexibility to show pilot feedback and inputs right into a completed product.
Harrier & Expeditionary Pondering
Whereas at VX-31, you served because the AV-8B Mission Officer in addition to the developmental take a look at pilot for the ultimate updates to the Harrier. Given these obligations, and the AV-8B’s demand for hands-on plane administration and situational consciousness, what classes from Harrier operations have confirmed most transferable to trendy take a look at and analysis work?
Whereas the Harrier is a legacy platform, the take a look at preparation and teamwork required to execute a take a look at program safely and successfully is unquestionably transferable and essential in trendy take a look at and analysis work. Extra particularly in relation to trendy take a look at plane, the quantity of knowledge and situational consciousness supplied on to the pilot by programs and sensors aboard plane such because the F-35 and F/A-18 is immense.
As I feel again on my early Harrier days, flying Night time Assault Harriers that didn’t embrace radars and, previous to the addition of Hyperlink-16 to the Harrier, a pilot’s total situational consciousness was gained by listening on the radio and constructing a psychological image of the airspace round you. As I’ve stepped from the Harrier to the F/A-18 and now to the F-35, the means out there to obtain and preserve situational consciousness has significantly elevated, however the constructing block method of figuring out the essential data that’s supplied and prioritizing that continues to be the identical.
Harrier pilots usually describe the jet as brutally sincere; it offers you precisely what you ask for. How did that form your method to self-discipline, preparation, and plane limitations?
That’s a very good rationalization of the Harrier however may be relevant in some ways to each plane if you first start to fly it. Previous to a pilot increase expertise in an plane, the one method to perceive what the plane is making an attempt to inform you is thru examine and preparation resulting in an understanding of the plane capabilities and limitations. This disciplined understanding of the plane will function the muse for the pilot to construct from and fall again on.
From a take a look at pilot’s standpoint, how did the Harrier’s STOVL setting sharpen your appreciation for environmental variables, shipboard constraints, and expeditionary operations?
The expeditionary nature of the Harrier and the various environments it operates in supplied helpful perception into the components that contribute to plane efficiency. As a take a look at pilot it’s essential to grasp the supposed mission of the plane you’re testing so as to develop a technique that methodically evaluates your entire flight envelope that plane can encounter. The expeditionary nature of the Marine Corps signifies that each platform must function safely throughout a large set of environments and be totally examined to fulfill the mission.
Wanting again, do you suppose your Harrier expertise creates a distinct mindset in comparison with pilots who grew up solely in additional automated plane?
The challenges of flying a legacy platform just like the Harrier are undoubtedly completely different when in comparison with the challenges that pilots face within the extra automated plane which can be prevalent as we speak, however I’d hesitate to say that it creates a novel or completely different mindset between pilots. Whereas the dearth of automation within the Harrier meant its operation was extra handbook in nature, protected flight execution nonetheless got here all the way down to understanding the present state of flight of the plane and what pilot interplay was required.
This assertion nonetheless holds true for contemporary automated plane. Deciphering plane automation continues to be required and important to understanding the plane’s state of flight and what pilot inputs to the automation are required.
VMX-1 Function & Integration
Now shifting to your present position at VMX-1, how does serving as Chief Operational Check Director and Chief Check Pilot differ out of your earlier take a look at assignments when it comes to accountability and choice authority?
My earlier take a look at project was very targeted on developmental take a look at of the AV-8B, which led to an in depth understanding of all elements of the Harrier’s take a look at program and being hands-on throughout your entire course of. As acknowledged earlier, my present roles require a way more over-arching view of all of VMX-1’s applications in additional of a managerial position, making certain that the squadron’s operational take a look at administrators have what they should succeed.
VMX-1 evaluates platforms which can be already operationally related, not theoretical. Subsequently, how do you steadiness fleet urgency with the necessity for disciplined, data-driven testing?
VMX-1’s capability to check programs in an operationally related setting must be considered as a helpful alternative to characterize that system and inform fleet customers on probably the most deadly and efficient method to make the most of the programs. Whereas there’s all the time a need to get programs within the arms of fleet customers as shortly as doable, it’s the position of operational take a look at to make sure that when the fleet receives these programs, they’re ready to make use of them to their most effectiveness.
VMX-1 offers these insights on the programs below take a look at by means of quite a few means, however whatever the technique, the main focus ought to all the time be by means of the conduct of neutral, disciplined, and data-driven testing.
With out entering into categorized particulars, what forms of operational take a look at efforts or functionality areas is VMX-1 at present targeted on, and why are these areas essential to as we speak’s fleet?
As you’ve alluded to and has been mentioned in a number of the earlier questions, VMX-1 conducts take a look at of the Marine Air Floor Activity Drive (MAGTF) as an entire by means of the lens of six several types of plane, a Command and Management division, a Fires Division, and a Science and Know-how division.
A lot of our testing focuses on the interoperability of those completely different belongings inside the MAGTF so as to guarantee there are open strains of communication that facilitate command and management and the flexibility to focus on between plane. That is completed by evaluating programs that talk by means of quite a few completely different waveforms and datalinks.
How does suggestions from deployed or lately returned models affect what VMX-1 chooses to check subsequent?
The testing that VMX-1 conducts comes by means of quite a few avenues. Whether or not it’s formal Operational Check as directed by OPTEVFOR or a know-how demonstration, VMX-1 is receptive to the inputs of quite a few exterior entities because it pertains to testing. Deployed or lately returned models usually have probably the most present and related view of the programs that they’re utilizing. These models’ inputs are helpful to VMX-1 in figuring out what programs to advocate for, to USMC senior management, or the best way to consider present programs below take a look at.
VMX-1 routinely evaluates programs that should perform collectively with Navy, Air Drive, and coalition companions. Out of your background, what challenges persistently emerge when shifting from single-platform testing to built-in operations?
Evaluating a single platform, or a person system below take a look at, versus testing the built-in operations of quite a few platforms, in any other case often known as a system of programs, creates quite a few challenges and might drastically improve testing complexity. There are the bodily and logistical challenges of testing quite a few platforms that function out of various places with completely different established help constructions. There are planning challenges that come up for take a look at models which have competing priorities and availability who want to speak with one another through the planning course of.
Lastly, there are the technical challenges related to all the person programs that compound as they’re built-in with one another. All these challenges spotlight the necessity to conduct early planning with most participation of all required platforms and models so as to mitigate the dangers to testing and improve the chance of take a look at success.
How essential is it that take a look at pilots as we speak perceive networked warfare, sensor fusion, and information sharing, not simply plane efficiency?
Critically essential. These ideas are inherent in nearly all programs we use as we speak and are the main focus of mission system testing. Whereas plane efficiency is crucial throughout preliminary plane growth and testing, the programs aboard that plane or platform are what make the system deadly and related. At VMX-1 proper now, each kind of plane within the VMX-1 stock is within the strategy of testing programs the place the target is to seamlessly share information by way of quite a few networks to extend situational consciousness of the frequent operational image.
Management & Ahead View
You’re now able influencing how youthful pilots take into consideration take a look at flying. What traits do you actively attempt to develop within the subsequent technology of operational take a look at aviators?
There are numerous traits that might be mentioned right here and make efficient pilots and operational take a look at aviators, however I like to inform pilots that they merely must be curious. You need to be interested by studying and have a need to know and perceive how programs function so as to successfully develop a plan to check these programs.
Wanting forward, what rising operational challenges do you anticipate to drive VMX-1’s take a look at priorities over the close to time period?
Our navy’s deal with lethality and survivability in a possible peer battle drives a lot of what VMX-1 assessments. Making certain that Marine Corps aviation is provided with the programs essential to succeed throughout battle is the squadron’s major focus.
Lastly, when readers see VMX-1 at air exhibits or in workouts this season, what ought to they perceive is going on behind the scenes that isn’t seen to the general public?
What’s on show at air exhibits and workouts encompasses solely a small proportion of the capabilities that VMX-1 is repeatedly engaged on. What just isn’t seen by the general public is the times, weeks, or months behind the scenes that go into planning these occasions, gathering take a look at information, analyzing that information, and reporting outcomes.
VMX-1 is filled with sensible and devoted Marines, civilians, and contractors who work tirelessly to conduct the testing that we’ve mentioned in your earlier questions and supply superior capabilities to the Marine Corps. With out their dedication to check planning, execution, and reporting, none of what VMX-1 completes and offers can be doable.
The Aviationist wish to ship out because of Capt. Owen VanWyck, COMMSTRAT Director, MCAS Yuma.
As well as, a really particular because of each Colonel John “Ike” Dirk, Commanding Officer, Marine Operational Check and Analysis Squadron One, and Main Alec “Cosmo” Rackish, Chief Operational Check Director and Chief Check Pilot, Marine Operational Check and Analysis Squadron One.
