576th Flight Test Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 576th Flight Test Squadron (576 FTS) is a United States Air Force
direct reporting unit
(DRU) assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The 576 FTS is stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base
, California
.
In executing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and Force Development Evaluation programs, the 576th Flight Test Squadron prepares for and conducts ground and flight tests to collect, analyze, and report performance, accuracy, and reliability data for the Joint Staff, USSTRATCOM
, Air Staff, and AFGSC. The 576th Flight Test Squadron identifies missile
system requirements, demonstrates current and future war fighting capabilities, and validates missile system improvements and upgrades.
, on 26 January 1943 as the 576th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) where it participated in the strategic bombardment campaigns of Europe and Germany as part of Eighth Air Force
. Their involvement during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge
resulted in seven European-African-Middle Eastern Theater campaign streamers and one Distinguished Unit Citation.
The 576th was inactivated on 13 September 1945 with the close of World War II
. It was reactivated on 24 September 1947 as a very heavy bombardment squadron at Barksdale Field Louisiana
, the squadrons mission was changed in November 1947 to a light jet bomber squadron. After being again inactivated in November 1949, the squadron was reactivated on 6 March 1958 as the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) assigned to Cook Air Force Base (later renamed Vandenberg AFB). On 1 April 1958, the 576th was assigned to the Strategic Air Command
(SAC) as an SM-65 Atlas ICBM unit, the nation's first ICBM unit. On 2 April 1966, the 576th was once again inactivated.
Re-designated the 576th Test Squadron on 29 August 1991, it was again activated on 1 September 1991 as part of the activation of the Twentieth Air Force
, America's only ICBM numbered Air Force. The 576th designation was chosen to ensure the history and lineage of the 576th would continue with the important job of testing ICBMs. The 576th has almost made a complete circle since the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron tested the Atlas missile in the late 50's and early 60's. In July 1993, the 576th was assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force
at Vandenberg AFB. The squadron was re-designated the 576th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) on 1 July 1994. Then, on 22 February 1996 the squadron was reassigned from the Fourteenth Air Force to Space Warfare Center (SWC) at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
On 14 March 1996, the 576th, the 30th Maintenance Squadron (MXS), and portions of the 30th Logistics Squadron (LSS) merged to form the new 576 FLTS. Whereas the three organizations previously reported, through different commanders, to the 30th Space Wing
at Vandenberg AFB, this merger aligned all personnel directly involved with Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) testing at Vandenberg under one commander. As part of the merger, the 576 FLTS also became a direct reporting unit to the Space Warfare Center, which later became the Space Innovation & Development Center
(SIDC).
On December 1, 2009 the 576 FLTS was reassigned, along with the Air Force's ICBM mission, to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
direct reporting unit
Direct Reporting Unit
A Direct Reporting Unit is an agency of the United States Department of the Air Force that is outside the bounds of the standard organizational hierarchy by being exclusively and uniquely under the control of Air Force headquarters alone, rather than reporting through a Major Command...
(DRU) assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The 576 FTS is stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
.
Overview
The mission of the 576 FTS is to execute Air Force Global Strike Command's Force Development Evaluation program for America's Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Force and serve as the command's experts for missile systems capability and Air Force application demonstrations.In executing the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Initial Operational Test and Evaluation and Force Development Evaluation programs, the 576th Flight Test Squadron prepares for and conducts ground and flight tests to collect, analyze, and report performance, accuracy, and reliability data for the Joint Staff, USSTRATCOM
United States Strategic Command
United States Strategic Command is one of nine Unified Combatant Commands of the United States Department of Defense . The Command, including components, employs more than 2,700 people, representing all four services, including DoD civilians and contractors, who oversee the command's operationally...
, Air Staff, and AFGSC. The 576th Flight Test Squadron identifies missile
Missile
Though a missile may be any thrown or launched object, it colloquially almost always refers to a self-propelled guided weapon system.-Etymology:The word missile comes from the Latin verb mittere, meaning "to send"...
system requirements, demonstrates current and future war fighting capabilities, and validates missile system improvements and upgrades.
Unit history
The 576th Flight Test Squadron was first activated at Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, on 26 January 1943 as the 576th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) where it participated in the strategic bombardment campaigns of Europe and Germany as part of Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
. Their involvement during the Normandy invasion and the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
resulted in seven European-African-Middle Eastern Theater campaign streamers and one Distinguished Unit Citation.
The 576th was inactivated on 13 September 1945 with the close of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. It was reactivated on 24 September 1947 as a very heavy bombardment squadron at Barksdale Field Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, the squadrons mission was changed in November 1947 to a light jet bomber squadron. After being again inactivated in November 1949, the squadron was reactivated on 6 March 1958 as the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron (SMS) assigned to Cook Air Force Base (later renamed Vandenberg AFB). On 1 April 1958, the 576th was assigned to the Strategic Air Command
Strategic Air Command
The Strategic Air Command was both a Major Command of the United States Air Force and a "specified command" of the United States Department of Defense. SAC was the operational establishment in charge of America's land-based strategic bomber aircraft and land-based intercontinental ballistic...
(SAC) as an SM-65 Atlas ICBM unit, the nation's first ICBM unit. On 2 April 1966, the 576th was once again inactivated.
Re-designated the 576th Test Squadron on 29 August 1991, it was again activated on 1 September 1991 as part of the activation of the Twentieth Air Force
Twentieth Air Force
The Twentieth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming.20 AF's primary mission is Intercontinental Ballistic Missile operations...
, America's only ICBM numbered Air Force. The 576th designation was chosen to ensure the history and lineage of the 576th would continue with the important job of testing ICBMs. The 576th has almost made a complete circle since the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron tested the Atlas missile in the late 50's and early 60's. In July 1993, the 576th was assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force
Fourteenth Air Force
The Fourteenth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Space Command . It is headquartered at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California....
at Vandenberg AFB. The squadron was re-designated the 576th Flight Test Squadron (FLTS) on 1 July 1994. Then, on 22 February 1996 the squadron was reassigned from the Fourteenth Air Force to Space Warfare Center (SWC) at Schriever AFB, Colorado.
On 14 March 1996, the 576th, the 30th Maintenance Squadron (MXS), and portions of the 30th Logistics Squadron (LSS) merged to form the new 576 FLTS. Whereas the three organizations previously reported, through different commanders, to the 30th Space Wing
30th Space Wing
The 30th Space Wing is an air force wing forming a subordinate unit of the Fourteenth Air Force of the Air Force Space Command of the United States Air Force...
at Vandenberg AFB, this merger aligned all personnel directly involved with Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) testing at Vandenberg under one commander. As part of the merger, the 576 FLTS also became a direct reporting unit to the Space Warfare Center, which later became the Space Innovation & Development Center
Space Innovation & Development Center
The Space Innovation & Development Center , formerly the Space Warfare Center , is a military unit of the United States Air Force...
(SIDC).
On December 1, 2009 the 576 FLTS was reassigned, along with the Air Force's ICBM mission, to Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC).
Lineage
- Constituted 576 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 15 January 1943
- Activated on 26 January 1943
- Redesignated 576 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 20 August 1943
- Inactivated on 13 September 1945
- Redesignated 576 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 5 September 1947
- Activated in the Reserve on 24 September 1947
- Redesignated 576 Bombardment Squadron, Light, Jet, on 27 June 1949
- Inactivated on 10 November 1949
- Redesignated 576 Strategic Missile Squadron (ICBM-Atlas) on 6 March 1958
- Activated on 1 April 1958
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 2 April 1966
- Redesignated 576 Test Squadron on 29 August 1991
- Activated on 1 September 1991
- Redesignated 576 Flight Test Squadron on 1 July 1994
Assignments
- 392d Bombardment Group, 26 January 1943-13 September 1945; 24 September 1947-10 November 1949
- 704th Strategic Missile Wing704th Strategic Missile WingThe 404th Air Expeditionary Group is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe. It is attached to Seventeenth Air Force [Air Forces Africa], stationed at Ramstein Air Base, Germany....
, 1 April 1958 - 1 Missile (later, 1 Strategic Aerospace) Division, 1 July 1959
- 392d Strategic Missile Wing, 18 October 1961
- 1st Strategic Aerospace Division1st Strategic Aerospace DivisionThe 1st Strategic Aerospace Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Strategic Air Command, assigned to Fifteenth Air Force, being stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California...
, 20 December 1961-2 April 1966 - 310th Operations Group310th Space WingThe 310th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Force Reserve Command Tenth Air Force. It is a tenant unit at Schriever Air Force Base, Colo....
, 1 September 1991 - 30th Operations Group30th Operations GroupThe 30th Operations Group is an operational component of the United States Air Force 30th Space Wing, stationed at Vandenberg Air Force Base, California.The group provides the core capability for West Coast spacelift and range operations...
, 1 July 1993 - Space Warfare Center, 22 February 1996
- 595th Test and Evaluation (later, 595 Space) Group595th Space GroupThe 595th Space Group is a unit of the United States Air Force. It is part of the Space Innovation & Development Center at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado.-Mission:...
, 1 August 2002– January 2010 - Air Force Global Strike Command, 1 December 2009 – present
Stations
- Davis-Monthan Field, ArizonaArizonaArizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, January 26, 1943 - Biggs FieldBiggs Army AirfieldBiggs Army Airfield or Biggs AAF is a military airport located at Fort Bliss near El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, in the United States. The airfield was previously Biggs Air Force Base, a Strategic Air Command installation, between 1947 and 1966. The U.S. Army began operations supporting Ft...
, TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, March 1, 1943 - Alamogordo AAB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, April 18 – July 18, 1943 - RAF WendlingRAF WendlingRAF Station Wendling is a former World War II airfield in Norfolk, England. The airfield is located approximately west-northwest of East Dereham.Opened in 1942, it was used by both the Royal Air Force and United States Army Air Force...
(USAAF Station 118), England, July 1943 – June 15, 1945
- Charleston AAFld, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, June 25 – September 13, 1945 - Barksdale Field (later, AFB), LouisianaLouisianaLouisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, June 27 – November 10, 1949. - Cooke (later, Vandenberg) AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 1 April 1958-2 April 1966 - Vandenberg AFB, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 1 September 1991–present
Aircraft and missiles
- B-24 LiberatorB-24 LiberatorThe Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
, 1943–1945 - B-26 Invader, 1947–1949
- SM-65 Atlas Missile, 1958–1966
- Operated Five missile sites (9 total missiles):
- 576-A (3 SM-65D, 1960-1965), 5.7 mi SW of Casmalia CA, 34°46′42"N 120°36′00"W
- 576-B (3 SM-65D, 1959-1967), 4.8 mi SW of Casmalia CA, 34°47′31"N 120°35′44"W
- 576-C (1 SM-65E, Jul-Sep 1963), 3.7 mi WxSW of Casmalia CA, 34°48′31"N 120°35′01"W
- 576-D (1 SM-65F, 1963-1964), 1.9 mi SW of Casmalia CA, 34°49′13"N 120°33′25"W
- 576-E (1 SM-65F, 1962-1964), 4.8 mi8.5 mi SW of Casmalia CA, 34°44′22"N 120°37′08"W
- Tested LGM-118 Peacekeeper, 1991–2004 and LGM-30G Minuteman III, 1991–present.