Air Development Squadron FIVE (VX-5), was commissioned on 18 June 1951 at NAS Moffett Field, CA, under the operational control of Commander, Operational Development Force, now Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force (COMOPTEVFOR), was assigned to develop and evaluate aircraft tactics and techniques for delivery of airborne special weapons. In July 1956, VX-5 moved to the Naval Air Facility, China Lake, CA, because of the availability of vastly improved ranges and instrumentation facilities. In January of 1985, the VX-5 Detachment at Whidbey Island, which oversaw developments relating to the EA-6B weapon system. In June 1993, the CNO directed the consolidation of VX-4 and VX-5 into a single operational test and evaluation squadron designated as VX-9, with a permanent F-14 Detachment located at Point Mugu, CA. This initiative was launched as part of the “right-sizing” of our Naval Forces in the aftermath of the Cold War.
