514th Flight Test Squadron: Difference between revisions
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After the German Capitulation in May 1945, returned to the United States; was re-equipped with [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers and trained under [[Second Air Force]] for deployment to the Pacific Theater. However with the Japanese Capitulation in August, the training ended and most personnel demobilized by the end of October. Remained in active status but not fully manned or equipped, and subsequently inactivated in early 1946 due to budget restrictions. The squadron was not fully manned or equipped between 10 November 1945 and 26 March 1946 and was unmanned from, 23 May 1947–20 September 1948.<ref name="AFHRA 512 RQS Page">[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0512sos.html AFHRA 512 RQS Page]</ref><ref name="512 RQS Fact Sheet">[http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6195 512 RQS Fact Sheet]</ref> |
After the German Capitulation in May 1945, returned to the United States; was re-equipped with [[B-29 Superfortress]] bombers and trained under [[Second Air Force]] for deployment to the Pacific Theater. However with the Japanese Capitulation in August, the training ended and most personnel demobilized by the end of October. Remained in active status but not fully manned or equipped, and subsequently inactivated in early 1946 due to budget restrictions. The squadron was not fully manned or equipped between 10 November 1945 and 26 March 1946 and was unmanned from, 23 May 1947–20 September 1948.<ref name="AFHRA 512 RQS Page">[http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0512sos.html AFHRA 512 RQS Page]</ref><ref name="512 RQS Fact Sheet">[http://www.aetc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=6195 512 RQS Fact Sheet]</ref> |
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===Cold War=== |
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Based in Japan at the beginning of the [[Korean War]], the squadron, flying RB/WB-29s, performed daily [[Military strategy|strategic]] weather [[reconnaissance]] missions over the combat zone, conducted shipping [[surveillance]] and visual reconnaissance, and accomplished [[electronic countermeasures]] reconnaissance until 20 February 1951. In the early days of the conflict, the squadron also dropped leaflets. Initially unarmed, and later only lightly armed with two [[.50-caliber machine gun]]s in the tail turret, the WB-29s flew daily missions over enemy-held territory. During 27 June through 27 December 1950, the squadron flew over 200 combat missions, making over 5,000 vitally needed weather observations. These missions were exceptionally hazardous because of extremely varying weather conditions and exposure to attack over enemy territory.<ref name="SAC">lloyd, Alwyn T. (2000), A Cold War Legacy: A Tribute to Strategic Air Command, 1946-1992, Pictorial Histories Publishing Co.; 1st edition, ISBN-10: 1575100525</ref> |
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Reactivated in May 1951. Practiced electronic countermeasures with B-29 aircraft from c. 1952 until conversion to [[B-47 Stratojet]] jet medium bombers in 1954. Between 1954 and 1965, flew a long series of simulated combat bombardment missions to maintain readiness as a unit of the [[Strategic Air Command]], testing electronic warfare devices and radar techniques, using B-47 and EB-47 aircraft. Inactivated in 1965 with the retirement of the B-47.<ref name="SAC"/> |
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===Lineage=== |
===Lineage=== |
Revision as of 12:40, 9 February 2013
514th Flight Test Squadron | |
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Active | 31 October 1942 - Present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Squadron |
Role | Flight Testing |
Part of | Air Force Materiel Command |
Garrison/HQ | Hill Air Force Base, Utah |
Motto(s) | "Quaerite Optimum Seek the Optimum" |
Engagements | World War II Korean War |
Decorations | DUC AFOUA |
Insignia | |
514th Flight Test Squadron emblem | |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | F-16 Fighting Falcon |
Transport | C-130 Hercules |
The 514th Flight Test Squadron (514 FLTS) is a United States Air Force squadron. It is assigned to the Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC), Air Force Materiel Command, stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.
Overview
The 514th FLTS' current mission is to accomplish high-risk acceptance flights on F-16 Fighting Falcon and C-130 Hercules aircraft following depot level maintenance. 514th FLTS aircrews provide the final quality control checks to ensure aircraft are airworthy and capable of returning to combat units. As the OO-ALC Center Test Authority, the 514th FLTS is the focal point for managing and providing test process expertise and support for all test and evaluation at the OO-ALC.
History
World War II
Established in the Middle East during late 1942 to aid British Forces during the Western Desert Campaign. Initially equipped with obsolete B-17C/D Flying Fortresses transferred from Tenth Air Force. Replaced with B-24 Liberators flown from Florida via South America; over to then across Central Africa then north to Egypt in early 1943. Became part of United States Middle East Air Forces (USMEAF), later Ninth Air Force.[1]
Operating from bases in British Palestine, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, attacked shipping in the Mediterranean and harbor installations in Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy to cut enemy supply lines to North Africa. Struck airdromes, marshalling yards, and other objectives in Sicily and Italy after the fall of Tunisia in May 1943. Reassigned to Fifteenth Air Force in late 1943, and moved to southern Italy. Squadron flew long range strategic bombardment missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans to bomb factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, airdromes, bridges, harbors, and other objectives.
After the German Capitulation in May 1945, returned to the United States; was re-equipped with B-29 Superfortress bombers and trained under Second Air Force for deployment to the Pacific Theater. However with the Japanese Capitulation in August, the training ended and most personnel demobilized by the end of October. Remained in active status but not fully manned or equipped, and subsequently inactivated in early 1946 due to budget restrictions. The squadron was not fully manned or equipped between 10 November 1945 and 26 March 1946 and was unmanned from, 23 May 1947–20 September 1948.[2][3]
Cold War
Based in Japan at the beginning of the Korean War, the squadron, flying RB/WB-29s, performed daily strategic weather reconnaissance missions over the combat zone, conducted shipping surveillance and visual reconnaissance, and accomplished electronic countermeasures reconnaissance until 20 February 1951. In the early days of the conflict, the squadron also dropped leaflets. Initially unarmed, and later only lightly armed with two .50-caliber machine guns in the tail turret, the WB-29s flew daily missions over enemy-held territory. During 27 June through 27 December 1950, the squadron flew over 200 combat missions, making over 5,000 vitally needed weather observations. These missions were exceptionally hazardous because of extremely varying weather conditions and exposure to attack over enemy territory.[4]
Reactivated in May 1951. Practiced electronic countermeasures with B-29 aircraft from c. 1952 until conversion to B-47 Stratojet jet medium bombers in 1954. Between 1954 and 1965, flew a long series of simulated combat bombardment missions to maintain readiness as a unit of the Strategic Air Command, testing electronic warfare devices and radar techniques, using B-47 and EB-47 aircraft. Inactivated in 1965 with the retirement of the B-47.[4]
Lineage
- Constituted 514th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 19 October 1942
- Activated on 31 October 1942
- Re-designated 514th Bombardment Squadron (Very Heavy) on 23 May 1945
- Inactivated on 7 March 1946
- Re-designated 514th Reconnaissance Squadron (Very Long Range, Weather) on 16 September 1947
- Activated on 15 October 1947
- Inactivated on 20 Feburary 1951
- Re-designated 514th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 25 May 1951
- Activated on 1 June 1951
- Inactivated on 15 March 1965
- Consolidated (1 October 1992) with the 6514th Test Squadron
- Designated, and activated, on 15 May 1970
- Re-designated: 514th Test Squadron on 2 October 1992
- Organized on 1 July 1993, assuming personnel and equipment of the 15th Test Squadron (Inactivated)
- Re-designated: 514th Flight Test Squadron on 1 March 1994
Assignments
- 376th Bombardment Group, 31 October 1942
- 498th Bombardment Group, 10 November 1945-26 March 1946
- 376th Reconnaissance Group, 23 May 1947
- Air Weather Service, 16 September 1947
- 308th Reconnaissance Group, 14 October 1946-20 September 1948; 1 February 1949
- 2143d Air Weather Wing, 14 November 1949-20 February 1951
- 376th Bombardment Group, 1 June 1951
- Attached to 376th Bombardment Wing, 1 June 1951-15 June 1952
- 376th Bombardment Wing, 16 June 1952-15 March 1965
- 6512th Test Group (later, 6510th Test Wing), 15 May 1970
- Air Force Flight Test Center, 1 January 1973
- 6510th Test Wing, 1 March 1978
- 6545th (later, 545th) Test Group, 1 January 1979
- Ogden Air Logistics Center, 30 September 1995-Present
Stations
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Aircraft
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References
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- ^ AFHRA 514 FLTS Page
- ^ AFHRA 512 RQS Page
- ^ 512 RQS Fact Sheet
- ^ a b lloyd, Alwyn T. (2000), A Cold War Legacy: A Tribute to Strategic Air Command, 1946-1992, Pictorial Histories Publishing Co.; 1st edition, ISBN-10: 1575100525
- ^ a b c d AFHRA 514th Flight Test Squadron lineage and history