46th Test Wing

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name=46th Test Wing


caption=
dates= 20 November 1940 — present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=Air Force
type=Developmental Test and Evaluation
role=
size=
command_structure=Air Force Material Command
current_commander=Colonel [http://www.eglin.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=9270 Gary Plump]
garrison=Eglin Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=Proof by Trial
colors=
identification_symbol=
march=
mascot=
battles=
notable_commanders=
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=

The 46th Test Wing (46 TW) is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Mission

The 46 TW Executes Developmental Test and Evaluation Enabling the Warfighter to put Weapons on Target in all Battlespace Media

History

The 46th participated in anti-submarine warfare in 1942 and flew patrol and search missions off the Gulf of Mexico. In late 1943 the group mission changed to replacement training until it was deactivated in May 1944.

The 46th was reactivated, replacing the 4600th Air Base Wing in March 1975, where it took over the mission of administering facilities of North American Air Defense Command (NORAD), Air Defense Command (ADC), and Army Air Defense Command (ARADCOM) located on Ent Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and Cheyenne Mountain Complex, plus various other nearby off-base facilities. Although the provision of administrative and logistical support was the wing's primary mission, its flying training squadron served NORAD and ADC mission requirements and provided flying training for cadets at the United States Air Force Academy until 1 October 1979.

The 46th replaced the 3246th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida in October 1992. It designed and performed flight and ground developmental tests with uniquely modified aircraft and facilities for conventional weapons and electronic combat systems. The wing also supported other Department of Defense components and numerous allied nations during test and exercises and managed the largest test range in the free world.

Operations

*World War II

Previous designations

*46th Bombardment Group (1940 – 1944)
*46th Aerospace Defense Wing (1975 – 1983)
*46th Test Wing (1992 – Present)

Assignments

Major Command

*Air Force Material Command (1992 – Present)

Numbered Air Force

*Ninth Air Force (1941 – 1942)
*Third Air Force (1942)
*Second Air Force (1942 – 1944)
*Air Armament Center (1992 – Present)

ubordinate Organizations

46th Operations Group (46 OG)

46th Test Group (46 TG)

46th Maintenance Group (46 MXG)

Bases stationed

*Savannah Air Base, Georgia (1941)
*Bowman Field, Kentucky (1941 – 1942)
*Barksdale Field, Louisiana (1942)
*Galveston Municipal Airport, Texas (1942)
*Blythe Army Air Field, California (1942)
*Will Rogers Army Air Field, Oklahoma (1942 – 1943)
*Morris Field, North Carolina (1943 – 1944)
*Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado (1975 – 1983)
*Eglin Air Force Base, Florida (1992 – Present)

Aircraft and Launch Vehicles Operated

*A-20 Havoc (1941 – 1944)
*B-25 Mitchell (1944)
*C-118 Liftmaster (1975)
*C-131 Samaritan (1975)
*T-33 Shooting Star (1975 – 1979)
*T-37 Tweet (1975 – 1979)
*T-39 Sabreliner (1975)
*U-4 (1975 – 1979)
*UH-1 Iroquois (1992 – Present)
*C-130 Hercules (1992 – Present)
*F-111 Aardvark (1992 – 1995)
*RF-4 (1992 – 1993)
*F-15 Eagle (1992 – Present)
*F-16 Falcon (1992 – Present)
*A-10 Thunderbolt II (1994 – Present)

Unit Shields

External links

* [http://www.eglin.af.mil/46tw/index.asp 46th Test Wing Home Page]