4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron: Difference between revisions

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Flight operations closed down in March 1988, although the 4477th was not inactivated until July 1990, according to one official Air Force history.<ref name="Red Eagles"/>
Flight operations closed down in March 1988, although the 4477th was not inactivated until July 1990, according to one official Air Force history.<ref name="Red Eagles"/>


===Current operations===
After the 4477th TES was inactivated, the remaining assets were reconstituted as a detachment of the [[57th Wing|57th Fighter Wing]] at Nellis AFB, now known as Detachment 3, 53rd Test and Evaluation Group). In March 1991, in the aftermath of the [[Gulf War]], a team from the Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center arrived at [[Jalibah Southeast Air Base]] in Iraq. They returned with a MiG-29 nose, providing Air Force intelligence personnel with a Slot Back I radar and the Fulcrum’s infrared search and tracking system. Later in the decade, Air Force intelligence personnel were able to acquire more complete versions of the MiG-29, the result of spending money rather than fighting a war. In October 1997, the US purchased 21 fighter aircraft from the [[Republic of Moldova]]—including the [[MiG-29]]UB. According to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, after "undergoing years of study" and employing "all the [center’s foreign materiel exploitation] resources," the MiG-29 was displayed in front of NASIC headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.
After the 4477th TES was inactivated, the remaining assets were reconstituted as a detachment of the [[57th Wing|57th Fighter Wing]] at Nellis AFB, now known as Detachment 3, 53rd Test and Evaluation Group). In March 1991, in the aftermath of the 1991 [[Gulf War]], a team from the Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center arrived at [[Jalibah Southeast Air Base]] in Iraq. They returned with a MiG-29 nose, providing Air Force intelligence personnel with a Slot Back I radar and the Fulcrum’s infrared search and tracking system. Later in the decade, Air Force intelligence personnel were able to acquire more complete versions of the MiG-29, the result of spending money rather than fighting a war. In October 1997, the US purchased 21 fighter aircraft from the [[Republic of Moldova]]—including the [[MiG-29]]UB. According to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, after "undergoing years of study" and employing "all the [center’s foreign materiel exploitation] resources," the MiG-29 was displayed in front of NASIC headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.


While over two decades have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the need to collect intelligence on MiGs has not ceased. [[Russia]] continues to produce and sell assorted modern versions of them. Also, the MiG doesn’t hold a monopoly on the fighters at which US intelligence analysts want a good look. It is believed that [[Air Force Material Command]] operates [[MiG-29 Fulcrum]]s and [[Su-27 Flanker]] aircraft somewhere in Nevada flying against [[Fighter Weapons School]] instructors, [[422d Test and Evaluation Squadron]] aircrews and [[F-15 Eagle]] and [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] "Aggressor" aircraft flying from Nellis AFB. <ref name="Red Eagles"/>
While over two decades have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the need to collect intelligence on MiGs has not ceased. [[Russia]] continues to produce and sell assorted modern versions of them. Also, the MiG doesn’t hold a monopoly on the fighters at which US intelligence analysts want a good look. In 2003, after the seizure of the [[Iraqi Air Force]] [[Al-Taqaddum Air Base]], an advanced Russian [[MiG-25 Foxbat]] was found buried in the sand after an informant tipped off U.S. troops. The MiG was dug out of a massive sand dune near the Al Taqqadum airfield by U.S. Air Force recovery teams. The MiG was reportedly one of over two dozen Iraqi jets buried in the sand, like hidden treasure, waiting to be recovered at a later date.

Contrary to what some in the major media have reported, not all the jets found at captured Iraqi Air Force bases were from the Gulf War era. The Russian-made MiG-25 Foxbat recovered was an advanced reconnaissance version never before seen in the West and was equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare devices. Air Force recovery teams had to use large earth-moving equipment to uncover the MiG, which was over 70 feet long and weighed 25 tons. The advanced electronic reconnaissance version found by the U.S. Air Force is currently in service with the Russian air force.

It is believed that [[Air Force Material Command]] operates [[MiG-29 Fulcrum]]s and [[Su-27 Flanker]] aircraft somewhere in Nevada flying against [[Fighter Weapons School]] instructors, [[422d Test and Evaluation Squadron]] aircrews and [[F-15 Eagle]] and [[F-16 Fighting Falcon]] "Aggressor" aircraft flying from Nellis AFB. <ref name="Red Eagles"/>


==Aircraft==
==Aircraft==

Revision as of 19:09, 2 September 2011

4477th Test & Evaluation Squadron
Members of the 4477th Test & Evaluation Squadron in front of a MiG-21F-13 Fishbed C/E, "85 Red", USAF serial 014. This airframe is now at the Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, Florida.
Founded1 May 1980–1990
DisbandedLast sorties on 4 March 1988.
Country United States
BranchUnited States United States Air Force
TypeTactical evaluation squadron
RoleTesting of MiG fighters.
Garrison/HQTonopah Test Range and Nellis AFB, Nevada
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Gaillard Peck, George Gennin
Aircraft flown
FighterMikoyan-Gurevich MiG-17, MiG-21 and MiG-23.
TrainerNorthrop T-38 Talon
TransportCessna 404, Mitsubishi MU-2

The 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron (4477th TES) was a squadron in the United States Air Force under the command of the Tactical Air Command.[1] The product of Project Constant Peg, the unit was created to train USAF pilots and weapon systems officers, and USN and USMC naval aviators to better fight the aircraft of the Soviet Union.[1] Some 69 pilots, nicknamed Bandits, served in the squadron between 1979 and 1988, flying MiG-17s, MiG-21s and MiG-23s.[1]

History

Origins

The idea of a more realistic training program was devised by USAF Colonel Gail Peck, a Vietnam veteran F-4 pilot, who was dissatisfied with his service's fighter pilot training. After the war, he worked at the Department of Defense, where he heard about the HAVE DRILL and HAVE DOUGHNUT programs. He won the support of USAF General Hoyt S. Vandenberg, Jr. and launched "Constant Peg," named after Vandenberg's callsign, "Constant," and Peck's wife, Peg.[1]

The 4477th began as the 4477th TEF, which began 17 July 1979. The name was later changed to the 4477th TES in 1980.

The 4477th began with three MiGs: two MiG-17Fs, and a MiG-21, loaned by Israel, captured from the Syrian Air Force and Iraqi Air Force. Later, it added MiG-21s from the Indonesian Air Force.[1]

The aircraft were collected at the Department of Energy's Tonopah Test Range, where they were flown by the squadron. The squadron operated MiG-17s until 1982, but mostly MiG-21s and MiG-23s.[1]

HAVE MiGs

Two USAF F-5Es flanking a MiG-17 and MiG-21 of the 4477th Tactical Evaluation Squadron

Under the HAVE DOUGHNUT, HAVE DRILL and HAVE FERRY programs, the first MiGs flown in the United States, were used to evaluate the aircraft in performance and technical capabilities, as well as in operational capability, pitting the types against U.S. fighters.[1] The focus of Air Force Systems Command limited the use of the fighter as a tool with which to train the front line tactical fighter pilots.[1] Air Force Systems Command recruited its pilots from the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards Air Force Base, California, who were usually graduates from various test pilot schools. Tactical Air Command selected its pilots primarily from the ranks of the Weapons School graduates.[1]

Accidents

Two pilots of the 4477th died flying the Soviet planes. The pilots had no manuals for the aircraft, although some tried to write one. Nor was there a consistent supply of spare parts, which had to be refurbished or manufactured at high cost.

On 23 August 1979, a pilot lost control of the squadron's MiG-17F, USAF serial 002. U.S. Navy Lieutenant M. Hugh Brown, 31, of the U.S. Navy's Test and Evaluation Squadron FOUR (VX-4), "Bandit 12", originally of Roanoke, Virginia, entered a spin while dogfighting a U.S. Navy F-5. Brown recovered, but entered a second irrecoverable spin too low to eject. The plane hit the ground at a steep angle near the Tonopah Test Range airfield boundary, killing the pilot instantly.[1]

On 21 October 1982, USAF Captain Mark Postai crashed with a MiG-23.[1]

On 26 April 1984, USAF Lieutenant General Robert M. "Bobby" Bond, then vice commander of Air Force Systems Command, died attempting to eject after losing control of his MiG-23 while supersonic. The death of a three-star general led the Air Force to reveal that it was flying Soviet aircraft.[2][3]

End of operations

Near the end of the Cold War the program was abandoned and the squadron was disbanded. Flight operations closed down in March 1988, although the 4477th was not inactivated until July 1990, according to one official Air Force history.[1]

Current operations

After the 4477th TES was inactivated, the remaining assets were reconstituted as a detachment of the 57th Fighter Wing at Nellis AFB, now known as Detachment 3, 53rd Test and Evaluation Group). In March 1991, in the aftermath of the 1991 Gulf War, a team from the Joint Captured Materiel Exploitation Center arrived at Jalibah Southeast Air Base in Iraq. They returned with a MiG-29 nose, providing Air Force intelligence personnel with a Slot Back I radar and the Fulcrum’s infrared search and tracking system. Later in the decade, Air Force intelligence personnel were able to acquire more complete versions of the MiG-29, the result of spending money rather than fighting a war. In October 1997, the US purchased 21 fighter aircraft from the Republic of Moldova—including the MiG-29UB. According to the National Air and Space Intelligence Center, after "undergoing years of study" and employing "all the [center’s foreign materiel exploitation] resources," the MiG-29 was displayed in front of NASIC headquarters at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio.

While over two decades have passed since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the need to collect intelligence on MiGs has not ceased. Russia continues to produce and sell assorted modern versions of them. Also, the MiG doesn’t hold a monopoly on the fighters at which US intelligence analysts want a good look. In 2003, after the seizure of the Iraqi Air Force Al-Taqaddum Air Base, an advanced Russian MiG-25 Foxbat was found buried in the sand after an informant tipped off U.S. troops. The MiG was dug out of a massive sand dune near the Al Taqqadum airfield by U.S. Air Force recovery teams. The MiG was reportedly one of over two dozen Iraqi jets buried in the sand, like hidden treasure, waiting to be recovered at a later date.

Contrary to what some in the major media have reported, not all the jets found at captured Iraqi Air Force bases were from the Gulf War era. The Russian-made MiG-25 Foxbat recovered was an advanced reconnaissance version never before seen in the West and was equipped with sophisticated electronic warfare devices. Air Force recovery teams had to use large earth-moving equipment to uncover the MiG, which was over 70 feet long and weighed 25 tons. The advanced electronic reconnaissance version found by the U.S. Air Force is currently in service with the Russian air force.

It is believed that Air Force Material Command operates MiG-29 Fulcrums and Su-27 Flanker aircraft somewhere in Nevada flying against Fighter Weapons School instructors, 422d Test and Evaluation Squadron aircrews and F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcon "Aggressor" aircraft flying from Nellis AFB. [1]

Aircraft

Squadron patch for the officers.[1]

As an OPSEC measure, the Soviet aircraft had their own US aircraft designations in order to avoid using the actual Soviet designations.[1]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Davies, Steve (2008), Red Eagles, Oxford, United Kingdom: Osprey, p. 352, ISBN 978-1-84603-378-0
  2. ^ http://www.f-117a.com/Bond.html
  3. ^ http://www.af.mil/information/bios/bio.asp?bioID=4734