FORT BLISS — The U.S. Army Operational Test Command activated a new test directorate Friday to support the vice chief of staff's vision of developing an integrated network able to handle everything from combat situational awareness to finance requests.

Col. Dave Wellons accepted the Integrated Test and Evaluation Directorate guidon as the new commander from Brig. Gen. Don MacWillie, command leader, in a morning ceremony at the Fort Bliss and Old Ironsides Museum. Sgt. Maj. James Cook is the directorate's senior enlisted adviser.

"The command is trying to figure out how best to serve our Army," MacWillie said. "The directorate is the culmination of four and a half years of planning and transition, and it is going to become rich in tradition.

"The planning isn't finalized," MacWillie said. "ITED is a little bit of everything, and Dave Wellons is the right person to take the reins."

Wellons thanked his staff for their dedication and the community for its support.

"We are proud to join the triad of OTC, the Brigade Modernization Command and the Program Executive Office-Integration," Wellons said. "Today, we are embarking on a new challenge — integrating fielding, training and test and evaluation."

Wellons said that 30 of the 63 authorized positions have been filled.

The staff will be a balanced mix of active duty and civilian testers.