59th Test and Evaluation Squadron

59th Test and Evaluation Squadron

A 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron F-22 pilot, conducts a pre-flight inspection
Active 1940–Present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Type Squadron
Role Test and Evaluation
Part of 53d Test Management Group
Garrison/HQ Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada
Engagements
Decorations
Insignia
Emblem of the 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron

The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Air Combat Command 53d Wing, 53d Test Management Group at Nellis AFB, Nevada.

Overview

The 59th Test and Evaluation Squadron is responsible for the management of A-10, F-15C/E, F-16, F-22, F-35, HH-60, HC-130J and Guardian Angel weapon system testing including force development evaluations, tactics development and evaluations, and software evaluations. Squadron personnel direct operational test planning and execution, as well as data gathering, analyzing, and reporting for the above systems operated by the CAF. Additionally, the squadron manages OT&E of weapons and support systems in order to improve current and future U.S. Air Force combat capabilities.

History

World War II

The squadron was constituted as the 59th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 November 1940 and activated on 15 January 1941 at Mitchel Field, New York as part of the 33d Pursuit Group. The squadron trained on the Bell P-39 Airacobra but soon switched to the more modern Curtiss P-40 Warhawk. After the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December resulted in the American entry into World War II, the squadron was moved to various bases to provide air defense for the East Coast, relocating to Groton Airport in Connecticut on 7 December, Martin State Airport in Maryland on 15 December, and finally to Philadelphia Airport on 10 May 1942. Five days after moving to Philadelphia, the squadron was redesignated the 59th Fighter Squadron when all Air Force pursuit units became fighter units, and between May and June it was temporarily stationed at Paine Field in Washington to provide air defense on the West Coast.[1]

A P-40 pilot of the squadron holds up a finger to tell his crew chief that he has downed a German plane, Paestum airfield, 15 September 1943

On 12 October, the squadron and the 33rd Fighter Group left Philadelphia for loading aboard the escort carrier USS Chenango for Operation Torch, the Anglo-American invasion of North Africa, which began on 8 November. Two days later, the squadron flew into the French Port Lyautey Airfield,[2] relocating to Casablanca on 17 November.[1] It operated with Twelfth Air Force in the Mediterranean theater until February 1944, providing close air support for ground forces, and bombing and strafing personnel concentrations, port installations, fuel dumps, bridges, highways, and rail lines. Took part in the reduction of Pantelleria and flew patrol missions while Allied troops landed after surrender of the enemy's garrison. It also participated in the invasion and conquest of Sicily by supporting landings at Salerno, southern Italy, and the beachhead at Anzio.[3]

After moving to India in February 1944, the unit trained with P-38s and P-47s. It then moved to China where it continued training and flew patrol and intercept missions. Upon returning to India in September 1944, it flew dive bombing and strafing missions in Burma until the Allied campaigns in that area had been completed.[3]

From August 1946, the 33d served as part of the US occupation force in Germany, being assigned to USAFE airfields at Neubiberg and Bad Kissingen, operating P-47 Thunderbolts.[3]

Strategic Fighter Escort Squadron

Returned to United States in August 1947, being assigned to Strategic Air Command. Assigned administratively to Andrews Field, Maryland, then being formed operationally at Roswell Army Airfield, New Mexico on 16 August 1947 as part of Eighth Air Force. Equipped with P-51D Mustangs. In June 1948, transitioned to the first-generation F-84C Thunderjet.

Air Defense Command

F-89s of the 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Goose Bay in the 1950s
59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron McDonnell F-101B-90-MC Voodoo 57-308 Kingsley Field, Oregon May 1969

Reassigned to the Air Defense Command First Air Force on 1 December 1948. With the new ADC assignment, was reassigned to Otis AFB, Massachusetts on 16 November 1948 as part of the ADC 26th Air Division. In February 1949, transitioned to F-86A Sabre day interceptor with the F-84s being sent to Republic Aircraft for refurbishment and reassignment to Air National Guard units.

Was moved to Goose Bay AFB, Labrador under Northeast Air Command on 28 October 1952, assigned to NEAC's 64th Air Division, headquartered at Pepperrell AFB. The 59th FIS first operated the F-94b all-weather night fighter interceptors with a detail assigned to Thule Air Base, subsequently the F-89 Scorpion jet interceptors from the airfield, assisting in the air defense of the region. While SAC received jurisdiction of the United States facilities at Goose AFB in 1957 with the inactivation of NEAC, Air Defense Command (ADC) took over the USAF atmospheric defense forces (including the NEAC 64th Air Division). The 59th FIS was upgraded to the F-102A Delta Dagger supersonic interceptor in 1960. It continued defensive patrols over the region.

Moved to Bergstrom AFB, Texas in 1967 and was upgraded to the McDonnell F-101B Voodoo and the F-101F operational and conversion trainer. The two-seat trainer version was equipped with dual controls, but carried the same armament as the F-101B and were fully combat-capable. Moved to Kingsley Field, Oregon in 1968 then inactivated on 31 December 1969 as part of the drawdown of ADC interceptor bases, the aircraft being passed along to the Air National Guard.

Tactical Air Command

Reactivated at Eglin AFB, Florida in 1970 and equipped with F-4 Phantom IIs. Supported the Tactical Air Warfare Center in weapon systems evaluation program tests from January–December 1973, and periodically thereafter until July 1978. Aircrews ferried F-4Es to Israel in October 1973. The 59th augmented intercept defense forces of the North American Air Defense Command (NORAD) beginning 1 January 1976 – 15 January 1979 and 4 January 1982 – 5 April 1982. In 1979, "The Golden Pride" traded in their last F-4s for the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. Later, they provided personnel and equipment to fly combat air patrols and air intercept missions for contingency operations in Grenada from October–November 1983, and Panama December 1989 – January 1990.

Desert Storm

The 59th TFS did not deploy during Operations Desert Shield or Desert Storm. However, some of their personnel deployed with the 58th TFS from 26 August 1990 – 12 April 1991, to help support manning, and to provide some experience. One of the 59th's members who deployed to the Gulf was the late Captain Rhory "Hoser" Draeger, who, on 26 January 1991, shot down a MiG-23, while flying an F-15C. Personnel and aircraft continued rotations to Saudi Arabia to protect coalition assets and to ensure that Iraq complied with treaty terms. Continued deployments to Saudi Arabia, Canada, the Caribbean, South America, Jamaica, Iceland, Italy, and Puerto Rico and participated in various operations until inactivated in 1999.

Operational Test & Evaluation

Reactivated at Nellis AFB in 2004 assuming current mission.

Lineage

59th FIS (Air Defense Command)
Activated on 15 January 1941
Re-designated: 59th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Re-designated: 59th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, on 8 February 1945
Inactivated on 8 December 1945
Activated on 20 August 1946
Re-designated: 59th Fighter Squadron, Jet, on 14 June 1948
Re-designated: 59th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 January 1950
Discontinued, and inactivated, on 2 January 1967
Inactivated on 17 December 1969
Activated on 1 September 1970
Re-designated 59th Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991
Inactivated on 15 April 1999
Activated on 3 December 2004.[4]

Assignments

  • 33d Pursuit (later, 33d Fighter) Group, 15 Jan 1941-8 Dec 1945
  • 33d Fighter (later, 33d Fighter-Interceptor) Group, 20 Aug 1946
  • 4707th Defense (later, 4707th Air Defense) Wing, 6 Feb 1952
Attached to: Northeast Air Command, 28–31 Oct 1952
Attached to: 64th Air Division, 1 Nov 1952-31 Jan 1953
  • 64th Air Division, 1 Feb 1953
  • 4732d Air Defense Group, 1 Apr 1957
  • Goose Air Defense Sector, 1 Apr 1960
  • 37th Air Division, 1 Apr 1966-2 Jan 1967
  • 408th Fighter Group, 30 Sep 1968-17 Dec 1969
  • 33d Tactical Fighter (later, 33d Fighter) Wing, 1 Sep 1970
  • 33d Operations Group, 1 Dec 1991-15 Apr 1999
  • 53d Test Management Group, 3 Dec 2004–Present[4]

Stations

Operated from Groton Army Airfield, Connecticut, 7–14 December 1941
Operated from Paine Field, Washington, May–June 1942
Operated from Thelepte Airfield, Tunisia, 20 March – 12 April 1943
Operated from Paestum Airfield, Italy, 1–31 December 1943

Aircraft

References

Citations

  1. 1 2 Maurer 1982, pp. 233–234.
  2. ↑ Molesworth 2011, p. 38.
  3. 1 2 3 Maurer 1983, pp. 86–87.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Haulman, Daniel L. (12 June 2015). "59 Test and Evaluation Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 28 September 2015. Retrieved 3 July 2017.

Bibliography

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

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