28th Test Squadron

The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its current assignment is with the 53d Wing, based at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

Overview

The squadron executes, and reports on Headquarters Air Combat Command-directed operational tests for multi-service integrated fighter avionics, weapons, and electronic warfare systems via operation of the $103 million Integrated Avionics Test Facility (IATF).

The IATF's primary objective is to improve the combat capability, reliability, and lethality of Air Force weapon systems through operationally realistic testing. Missions are performed through ground test, flight test, ground-based jammer testing, and various combinations of these techniques. The IATF's primary mission is to perform force development evaluations on the operational flight programs of the F-15 Eagle and F-16 Fighting Falcom fire control radar systems. This includes experimental changes to the OFPs as well as modifications to fielded OFPs. Additional responsibilities and capabilities include the following: Perform OFP OT&E and operational utility evaluations of F-15 and F-16 radars with the AIM-120 AMRAAM, identify radar system maintenance deficiencies and develop work-around solutions. Support advanced EA and EP system development and evaluation. Provide resident Air Force technical expertise on ACC radar and missile systems. Support other electronic warfare projects from Air Force, Department of Defense and various external customers with technical assistance or specialized hardware

History

Heraldry

A brown scorpion with light blue armor plate fastened to back by rivets, holding in the right claw and legs a large, medium blue aerial bomb, and in the left claw and legs a light blue and black aerial machine gun with black and white cartridge belt affixed thereto, draped over stinger on tail. ( Approved 19 May 1945.)

Lineage

Constituted 28th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 22 Dec 1939
Activated on 1 Feb 1940.
Redesignated 28th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Inactivated on 15 Oct 1946
Redesignated 28th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 3 Mar 1953
Activated on 8 Apr 1953
Inactivated on 25 Jun 1953
Redesignated and activated as 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron (dates undetermined)
Redesignated 28th Test Squadron (dates undetermined)
Redesignated 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron (dates undetermined)

Assignments

37th Pursuit (later Fighter) Group, i Feb 1940
XXVI Fighter Command, 1 Nov 1943
6th Fighter Wing, 25 Aug-15 Oct 1946
37th Fighter-Bomber Group, 8 Apr-25 Jun 1953
Air Armament Center (dates and precise assignment undetermined)
53d Wing
53d Test Management Group (?? - present)

Stations

Albrook Field, Canal Zone, 1 Feb 1940
Rio Hato AAB, Panama, 5 Oct 1940
Albrook Field, Canal Zone, 13 Nov 1940
Patina Point Afld, Panama, 9 Dec 1941
Detachment at La Chorrera Afld, Panama, 26 Mar-2 May 1942
Chame Afld, Panama, 10 Nov 1942
Detachment at Pocri Afld, Panama, 22 Feb-2 Aug 1944
Howard Field, Canal Zone, 25 Sept 1945-15 Oct 1946
Clovis AFB, New Mexico, 8 Apr-25 Jun 1953
Eglin AFB, Florida (dates undetermined)

Aircraft

P-26 Peashooter, 1940-1941
P-40 Warhawk, 1941-1942
P-39 Aircobra, 1942-1945
P-38 Lightning, 1945

Operations

Air defense for the Panama Canal.

Not manned, Oct 1945-Oct 1946. Not operational, 8 Apr-25 Jun 1953.