586th Flight Test Squadron

The 586th Flight Test Squadron is part of the 96th Test Wing based at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico.

586th Flight Test Squadron
586th Flight Test Squadron C-12J Huron
Active1943-1946; 1982-present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFlight Test
Part ofAir Force Material Command
Garrison/HQHolloman Air Force Base
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
French Croix de Guerre w/ Palm[1]
Insignia
586th Flight Test Squadron emblem (approved 26 January 1996)[1]
6586th Test Squadron emblem (approved 8 December 1983)[2]
586th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 29 June 1943)[3]

Mission
AT-38B of the 586th Test Squadron

The 586th Flight Test Squadron plans, analyzes, coordinates and conducts flight tests of advanced weapons and avionics systems primarily on the White Sands Missile Range.

It provides deployable operational support for test aircraft staging out of Holloman AFB. The squadron flight tests guidance systems, laser systems, air-to-air/air-to-ground systems, long-range and standoff weapons, live warheads, and provides target and photo/safety chase.

The 586th operates three AT-38B aircraft. These aircraft are modified for test, test support, target, and photo/safety chase. Capabilities of the squadron's AT-38B's include: chaff, flares, Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation and precision data recording and telemetry, electronic counter- measures (ECM), towed target, threat and cruise missile simulation, Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation pods, and multiple format photographic coverage (including helmet-mounted video cameras). They are equipped with an internal Fighter Instrumentation and Navigation System which relies on inertial navigation and global positioning inputs to develop a reference for time-space-position information. Each aircraft has a 200-ft AGL capability utilizing radar altimeters and moving map displays. For specialized tests, customer provided test equipment may be rack mounted and installed in place of the rear ejection seat or externally in a pod.

Externally, the aircraft has a modified centerline pylon to enable carriage of many types of test and operational stores such as the ALQ-167 Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) pod, which is programmable with a wide variety of electronic jamming techniques as well as an ALE-40 chaff and flare pod. External stores can be provided with AC and DC power. Another test capability under development is a Low Observable Instrumented Tow Target system that will support many different types of tests. Flight cleared pods are available for carriage of additional customer defined stores.

History

World War II
Fitting 500 pound bombs to load on Martin B-26B Marauderof the 586th BS[note 1]

Formed under III Bomber Command in early 1943 as a Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber squadron. Trained for duty in Europe with Ninth Air Force. Engaged in combat beginning in early 1944, attacked tactical targets in France, Low Countries and Germany supporting Allied ground forces advancing after D-Day in Northern France Campaign and the Western Allied invasion of Germany, 1945. Received Douglas A-26 Invaders in April 1945, however did not use in combat. After V-E Day, was part of the Army of Occupation in Germany and inactivated in early 1946.

Test operations

It has provided operational and maintenance support for all Department of Defense test aircraft staging out of Holloman Air Force Base from, 1982–1990. The squadron flew developmental test and evaluation missions and has supported DOD test flights on White Sands Missile Range since 1991.[1]

Lineage

586th Bombardment Squadron

  • Constituted as the 586th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 15 February 1943
Activated on 5 March 1943
Redesignated 586th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 9 October 1944
Redesignated 586th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 3 December 1945
Inactivated on 31 March 1946
  • Consolidated with the 6586th Test Squadron on 1 October 1982[1]

586th Test Squadron

  • Designated as the 6586th Test Squadron on 15 December 1982 and activated
  • Consolidated with the 586th Bombardment Squadron and redesignated 586th Test Squadron on 1 October 1992
Redesignated 586th Flight Test Squadron on 15 March 1994[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft
  • Martin B-26 Marauder, 1943-1945
  • Douglas A-26 Invader, 1945-1946
  • Nortrop AT-38 Talon, 1991–present
  • Beechcraft C-12 Huron, 1997–present[1]

References

Notes
Explanatory notes
  1. This aircraft was shot down by anti-aircraft artillery Mar 22, 1945. Missing Aircrew Report (MACR) 13040
Citations
  1. Robertson, Patsy (4 September 2008). "Factsheet 586 Flight Test Squadron (AFMC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 6 May 2014.
  2. Endicott, p. 874
  3. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 674
  4. Station number in Anderson.
  5. Station number in Johnson.
  6. Station information in Robertson, except as noted.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

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