Description
Computer made 4.0-100mm
412th TEST WING (AFMC)
Lineage. Established as 412 Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 20 Nov 1943. Activated on 29 Nov 1943. Inactivated on 3 Jul 1946. Redesignated 412 Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Discontinued on 1 Apr 1960. Redesignated 412 Tactical Fighter Group on 31 Jul 1985 but remained inactive. Consolidated (1 Oct 1992) with 6510 Test Wing, which was established, and activated, on 1 Mar 1978. Redesignated 412 Test Wing on 2 Oct 1992.
Assignments. IV Fighter Command, 29 Nov 1943; 321 Wing, 3 Dec 1945; IV Fighter Command, 28 Jan 1946; Tactical Air Command, 21 Mar 1946; Twelfth Air Force, 15 May-3 Jul 1946. 4708 Air Defense Wing, 18 Aug 1955; 30 Air Division, 8 Jul 1956-1 Apr 1960 (attached to Detroit Air Defense Sector, 1 Apr 1959-1 Apr 1960). Air Force Flight Test Center, 1 Mar 1978-.
Components. Groups. 412 Operations: 1 Oct 1993-. 6545 (later, 545) Test: 1 Jan 1979-1 Aug 1996. 6510 (later, 412) Test: 10 Mar 1989-30 Dec 1997.
Squadrons. 18 Fighter-Interceptor: 20 Aug 1957-1 Apr 1960. 29 Fighter: 21 Jul 1944-3 Jul 1946. 31 Fighter (later, 31 Fighter-Interceptor): 19 Aug 1944-3 Jul 1946; 8 Jun 1956-20 Aug 1957. 39 Photo (later, 39 Tactical) Reconnaissance: attached 5 Nov 1945-3 Jul 1946. 445 Fighter (later, 445 Fighter-Interceptor): 18 Mar 1944-3 Jul 1946; 18 Aug 1955-1 Apr 1960. 6510 (later, 410) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993. 6511 Test: 1 Mar-1 Jul 1978. 6511 (later, 411) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993. 6512 (later, 445) Test: 1 Mar 1978-1 Oct 1993. 6513 (later, 413) Test: 1 Mar 1978-1 Oct 1993. 6514 Test: 1 Mar 1978-1 Jan 1979. 6515 (later, 415) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993. 6516 (later, 416) Test: 10 Mar 1989- 1 Oct 1993. 6517 (later, 417) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993. 6518 (later, 418) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993. 6519 (later, 419) Test: 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1993.
Schools. USAF Test Pilot: 1 Mar 1978-.
Flights. 11 Crash-Rescue Boat: 18 Aug 1955-8 Dec 1956.
Stations. Muroc, CA, 29 Nov 1943; Palmdale AAFld, CA, 1 Jun 1944; Bakersfield Mun Arpt, CA, 11 Oct 1944; Santa Maria AAFld, CA, 10 Jul 1945; March Field, CA, c. 29 Nov 1945-3 Jul 1946. Wurtsmith AFB, MI, 18 Aug 1955-1 Apr 1960. Edwards AFB, CA, 1 Mar 1978-.
Aircraft. Tested a wide variety of AAF aircraft, 1943-1946. F-89, 1955-1960; T-33, 1955-1960; F/TF-102, 1956-1960; F-101, 1959-1960. From 1978-1992, tested various aircraft types, including A-7, A-10, A-37, B-1, B-2, B-52, C-17, C-23, C/AC/MC/DC/HC/NC-130, NC-131, F-4, F-15, F-16, F-111, HH-60A, HH-53, KC-135, NT-33, T-38, T-39, and T-46. From 1993 tested variety of assigned and loaned aircraft that included C-130, F-15, F-16, T-38, T-39, B-2, C-17, F-22, F-117, B-1B, an U-2. EC-18, 1993-; EC/NKC/C-135, 1993-. MC-130, 1995-.
Operations. The 412th Fighter Group, first US jet fighter group to be activated, spent most of its early existence in experimental testing of the P-59A and P-80 aircraft. Developed training programs and trained aircrew and ground personnel as cadres for newly formed jet aircraft-equipped units. From 1 Mar 1978, the wing managed flight operations for the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA. Using a mixed fleet of support aircraft, annually tested both experimental and USAF inventory aircraft, as well as others on loan from US government agencies and foreign governments. Component systems flight-testing included weapons and ordnance, avionics and sensors, flight controls, and aircrew life-support equipment. Operated the Air Force Test Pilot School, training students from around the world. Performed free-flight testing of the Space Transportation System (STS) for NASA, 1978-1980, and in Apr 1981 recovered the shuttle “Columbia” following the first-ever orbital mission of a reusable spacecraft. Continued to provide alternate landing site services for STS recovery. Deployed support personnel and equipment to Southwest Asia, Aug 1990-Mar 1991. While deployed, performed tests on radar and weapons system accuracy. Transitioned into an objective test wing in 1992 to enhance its mission of air vehicle development, testing, and evaluation. Tested and evaluated both manned and unmanned aerospace vehicles for US and foreign governments.
Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1983-31 Dec 1984; 1 Jan 1985-31 Dec 1986; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1996; 1 Jan 1997-31 Dec 1998.
Emblem. Approved on 22 May 1957.