Lineage

Established as 412th Fighter Group (Single Engine) on 20 Nov 1943. Activated on 29 Nov 1943. Inactivated on 3 Jul 1946. Redesignated 412th Fighter Group (Air Defense) on 20 Jun 1955. Activated on 18 Aug 1955. Discontinued on 1 Apr 1960. Redesignated 412th Tactical Fighter Group on 31 Jul 1985 but remained inactive. Consolidated (1 Oct 1992) with 6510th Test Wing, which was established, and activated, on 1 Mar 1978. Redesignated 412th Test Wing on 2 Oct 1992.

Assignments

IV Fighter Command, 29 Nov 1943; 321st Wing, 3 Dec 1945; IV Fighter Command, 28 Jan 1946; Tactical Air Command, 21 Mar 1946; Twelfth Air Force, 15 May?3 Jul 1946. 4708th Air Defense Wing, 18 Aug 1955; 30th Air Division, 8 Jul 1956?1 Apr 1960 (attached to Detroit Air Defense Sector, 1 Apr 1959?1 Apr 1960). Air Force Flight Test Center, 1 Mar 1978?.

Components

Groups. 412th Operations: 1 Oct 1993?. 6545th (later, 545th) Test: 1 Jan 1979?. 6510th (later, 412th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?.

Squadrons. 18th Fighter-Interceptor: 20 Aug 1957?1 Apr 1960. 29th: 21 Jul 1944?3 Jul 1946. 31st Fighter (later, 31st Fighter-Interceptor): 19 Aug 1944? 3 Jul 1946; 8 Jun 1956?20 Aug 1957. 39th Photo (later, 39th Tactical) Reconnaissance: attached 5 Nov 1945?3 Jul 1946. 445th Fighter (later, 445th Fighter-Interceptor): 18 Mar 1944?3 Jul 1946; 18 Aug 1955?1 Apr 1960. 6510th (later, 410th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993. 6511th Test: 1 Mar? 1 Jul 1978. 6511th (later, 411th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993. 6512th (later, 445th) Test: 1 Mar 1978?1 Oct 1993. 6513th (later, 413th) Test: 1 Mar 1978?1 Oct 1993. 6514th Test: 1 Mar 1978?1 Jan 1979. 6515th (later, 415th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993. 6516th (later, 416th) Test: 10 Mar 1989? 1 Oct 1993. 6517th (later, 417th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993. 6518th (later, 418th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993. 6519th (later, 419th) Test: 10 Mar 1989?1 Oct 1993.

School. USAF Test Pilot: 1 Mar 1978?.

Flight. 11th Crash?Rescue Boat: 18 Aug 1955?8 Dec 1956.

Stations

Muroc, CA, 29 Nov 1943; Palmdale AAFld, CA, 1 Jun 1944; Bakersfield Mun Arpt, CA, 11 Oct 1944; Santa Maria AAFld, CA, 10 Jul 1945; March Field, CA, c. 29 Nov 1945?3 Jul 1946. Wurtsmith AFB, MI, 18 Aug 1955? 1 Apr 1960. Edwards AFB, CA, 1 Mar 1978?.

Commanders

Capt Brunner R. Coke, 29 Nov 1943; Maj John W. Mitchell, Dec 1943; Col Homer A. Boushey, 11 Jan 1944; Col David L. Hill, 29 Sep 1945; Col Bruce K. Holloway, 30 Jan?3 Jul 1946. Col Ralph A. Taylor, Jr., c. 18 Aug 1955; Col Thomas N. Wilson, Aug 1956; Col Clifford F. MaComber, 15 Jul 1959? 1 Apr 1960. Brig Gen William T. Twinting, 1 Mar 1978; Col Norman L. Suits, 28 Jun 1980; Col Michael D. Hall, 4 Aug 1980; Col Kenneth E. Staton,4 Aug 1983; Col Richard M. Cooper, 27 Jan 1986; Col Roy D. Bridges, 21 May 1986; Col Vernon P. Saxon, Jr., 24 Mar 1989; Col Richard L. Engel, 22 Jan 1992?.

Aircraft

Tested a wide variety of AAF aircraft, 1943?1946. F?89, 1955?1960; T?33, 1955?1960; F/TF?102, 1956?1960; F?101, 1959?1960. From 1978 tested various aircraft types, including A?7, A?10, A?37, B?1, B?2, B?52, C?17, C?23, C/AC/MC/DC/HC/NC?130, NC?131, F?4, F?15, F?16, F?111, HH?60A, HH?53, KC?135, NT?33, T?38, and T?46.

Operations

The 412th Fighter Group, first US jet fighter group to be activated, spent most of its early existence in experimental testing of the P?59A and P?80 aircraft. Developed training programs and trained aircrew and ground personnel as cadres for newly formed jet aircraft-equipped units. Inactivated 3 Jul 1946. Activated at Wurtsmith AFB, MI on 18 Aug 1955 with an air defense mission. Initially equipped with F?89 aircraft, the group added F?102s to its inventory in 1956 and F?101s in 1959. Inactivated on 1 Apr 1960. From 1 Mar 1978, the wing managed flight operations for the Air Force Flight Test Center at Edwards AFB, CA. Using a mixed fleet of support aircraft, annually tested both experimental and USAF inventory aircraft, as well as others on loan from US government agencies and foreign governments. Component systems flight-testing included weapons and ordnance, avionics and sensors, flight controls, and aircrew life?support equipment. Operated the Air Force Test Pilot School, training students from around the world. Performed free-flight testing of the Space Transportation System (STS) for NASA, 1978?1980, and in Apr 1981 recovered the shuttle "Columbia" following the first-ever orbital mission of a reusable spacecraft. Continued to provide alternate landing site services for STS recovery. Deployed support personnel and equipment to Southwest Asia, Aug 1990? Mar 1991. While deployed, performed tests on radar and weapons system accuracy. Transitioned into an objective test wing in 1992 to enhance its mission of air vehicle development, testing, and evaluation.

Honors

Service Streamers. World War II American Theater.

Campaign Streamers. None.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.

Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1983?31 Dec 1984; 1 Jan 1985? 31 Dec 1986.

Emblem

Per bend Celeste and Sable a demi-plate issuant in sinister base, a flight symbol in dexter chief ascending bendwise Argent between a lightning flash bendwise in dexter and a mullet in sinister chief Or: and issuing a contrail arcing to base Gules garnished Yellow surmounting a cloud outline of the first all within a diminished bordure Gold. Approved on 22 May 1957 (157263 AC) and slightly modified on 15 Jun 1994.