53rd Test and Evaluation Group explained

Unit Name:53rd Test and Evaluation Group
Dates:1942–1947, 1955–1960, 1988–present
Role:Test and evaluation
Command Structure:Air Combat Command
Garrison:Nellis AFB
Decorations:Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Battles:Mediterranean Theater of Operations World War II Army of Occupation
Identification Symbol Label:53rd Wing Emblem[1]
Identification Symbol 2 Label:79th Test and Evaluation Group emblem[2]
Identification Symbol 3 Label:79th Fighter Group emblem[3] [4]
Aircraft Attack:A-10
Aircraft Bomber:B-1, B-2, B-52
Aircraft Fighter:F-15C & E, F-16, F-22
Aircraft Helicopter Multirole:HH-60
Aircraft Recon:MQ-1, RQ-4, U-2

The 53rd Test and Evaluation Group is a group of the United States Air Force. It is a part of the 53rd Wing, and is headquartered at Nellis AFB, Nevada.[5]

The Group was originally activated in 1942 as the 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor), becoming the 79th Fighter Group (Single Engine) a few months later. Later that year it moved overseas to Egypt, where it was assigned to Ninth Air Force and participated in combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in Egypt, Libya, Tunisia and Italy until April 1945. After the end of World War II, it became part of the Army of Occupation until it was inactivated in 1947.

The group was activated again in 1955 as the 79th Fighter Group (Air Defense) as part of a program of Air Defense Command (ADC) to replace its air defense groups with fighter units with distinguished records in World War II. It provided air defense of the Great Lakes region until it was inactivated in 1960.

In 1988, Tactical Air Command activated the 4443rd Test and Evaluation Group as an operational test unit at Eglin AFB, an Air Force Systems Command (AFSC) base that was home to AFSC's Armament Center. In December 1991, as the USAF eliminated its Major Command controlled (MAJCON) four-digit units, the 79th was consolidated with the 4443rd, and the combined unit was designated the 79th Test and Evaluation Group. In 1998, as a result of USAF policy that subordinate groups carry the same number as their parent wing, the 79th TEG was inactivated and replaced by the newly constituted 53rd Test and Evaluation Group. In 1999, the unit moved from Eglin AFB to Nellis AFB, Less than two years later, USAF consolidated the 79th and 53rd TEGs to provide one continuous history to its weapons test and evaluation group.

The unit consists of seven squadrons, two detachments, and a named flight. Its mission is to manage the flying activities of the 53rd wing at Barksdale, Beale, Creech, Dyess, Edwards, Eglin, Nellis, and Whiteman Air Force bases.

Units

The group consists of seven squadrons, two direct detachments, and a named flight. These units perform tactical development, operational tests, and evaluations for Air Combat Command. In addition, the group assists the Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center with testing and operating the YAL-1 Airborne Laser, MQ-9, and F-35A.

Squadrons

Detachments

The group includes three detachments which are not part of the regular squadron structure:

Named flights

The group includes one named flight:

History

World War II

The group was constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942 and activated at Dale Mabry Field, Florida on 9 February 1942, drawing its personnel from the 56th and 81st Fighter Groups.[6] its original squadrons were the 85th,[7] 86th,[8] and 87th Pursuit Squadrons.[9] The group was redesignated the 79th Fighter Group (Single Engine) in May 1942. The group trained in the United States, then moved to Egypt by sea via Brazil in October–November 1942,[6] where it became part of Ninth Air Force.[10]

The group trained with P-40 Warhawks's while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya to Tunisia.[10] Although many of the group's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin combat operations until March 1943.[10] By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, the 79th took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa, captured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily.[10] The group was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for its support of British Eighth Army during that period, March–August 1943.[10]

The group was assigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943 and continued to support the British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy.[10] It operated in the area of the Anzio beachhead, from January to March 1944. The group participated in the drive on Rome, from March to June 1944, and converted to P-47 Thunderbolts during that time.[10] It flew escort and strafing missions in southern France during August and September 1944, and afterward returned to Italy and engaged in interdictory and close support operations in northern Italy.[10] The group received a second DUC for numerous missions flown at minimum altitude in intense flak to help pierce the enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy in April 1945.[10]

79th Ftr Gp

Aerial Victories Number Note
Group Hq 1 [11]
85th Fighter Squadron 28 [12]
86th Fighter Squadron 26 [13] [14]
87th Fighter Squadron 41.5 [15]
Group Total 96.5

The group remained overseas as part of United States Air Forces in Europe after the war as part of the occupation force.[10] It was transferred, without personnel and equipment, to the US in June 1947 and inactivated on 15 July 1947.[10]

Air Defense Command

The group was redesignated the 79th Fighter Group (Air Defense), assigned to ADC and activated on 18 August 1955 at Youngstown MAP, Ohio[10] as part of ADC's Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars.[16] At Youngstown, the group assumed the personnel and equipment of the 502nd Air Defense Group, which was simultaneously inactivated.[17] The group provided air defense over eastern Ohio as part of 30th Air Division of ADC's Central Air Defense Force and acted as the host unit for the Air Force portion of Youngstown MAP. The 79th was assigned several support organizations to fulfill this responsibility.[18] [19] [20] One of the group's original components, the 86th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS), flying radar equipped and rocket armed North American F-86D Sabres was already stationed at Youngstown and transferred from the 502nd.[21]

In September 1957 the 86th FIS traded its Sabres for Convair F-102 Delta Dagger aircraft equipped with data link for interception control through the Semi-Automatic Ground Environment system.[21] The Air Force transferred command of Youngstown MAP from ADC to Continental Air Command on 1 March 1960 and the 79th Fighter Group and its components inactivated that date.[22]

Lineage

79th Test and Evaluation Group

Activated on 9 February 1942

Redesignated 79th Fighter Group (Single Engine) in May 1942

Inactivated on 15 July 1947

Activated on 18 August 1955

Inactivated on 1 March 1960[17]

Inactivated on 20 November 1998

4443rd Test and Evaluation Group

53rd Test and Evaluation Group

Assignments

Components

Support Units

Test Units

Edwards Air Force Base, California

Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana

Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri

Edwards Air Force Base, California

Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada

Stations

[10] [26]

Awards and Campaigns

Campaign StreamerCampaignDatesNotes
Air Combat, EAME Theater79th Fighter Group
Egypt-Libya79th Fighter Group
Tunisia79th Fighter Group
Sicily79th Fighter Group
Naples-Foggia79th Fighter Group
Anzio79th Fighter Group
Rome-Arno79th Fighter Group
Southern France79th Fighter Group
Northern Apennines79th Fighter Group
Po Valley79th Fighter Group
World War II Army of Occupation2 May 1945 – 25 June 194779th Fighter Group

Aircraft

Additionally, the group has flying hours assigned to the B-2 Spirit bomber, RQ-4 Global Hawk, and Lockheed U-2.

See also

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
Citations

Bibliography

Further reading

Notes and References

  1. The group uses this emblem with the group designation on the scroll when assigned to the 53rd Wing Bailey, Factsheet 53 Test & Evaluation Group.
  2. This remains the group emblem, but is not used while assigned to the 53rd Wing. Bailey, Factsheet 53 Test 7 Evaluation Group.
  3. Watkins, pp. 30–31
  4. Apparently, never officially approved. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 145. The blue stripe at top represent the sky, the hieroglyphic numbers display the group's number and the falcon headed Egyptian god, Horus is the central figure. Lind, Frontispiece.
  5. Web site: USAF . United States Air Force . Eglin AFB 53rd Test and Evaluation Group Fact Sheet . 53rd Wing, USAF . Eglin AFB, Florida . 3 April 2009 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090226215718/http://www.53wg.acc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-080502-032.pdf . 26 February 2009 .
  6. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/708.xml Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp, activation-Aug 43
  7. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 295
  8. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 297–298
  9. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 299–300
  10. Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 144–145
  11. Newton & Senning, p. 572
  12. Newton & Senning, p. 578
  13. Newton & Senning, pp. 578–579
  14. Newton & Senning gives figure as 25.99 due to one victory shared by three pilots credited as .33 to each
  15. Newton & Senning, p. 579
  16. Buss, et al., p.6
  17. Cornett & Johnson, p. 81
  18. Web site: Factsheet 79 Medical Wing (AFDW). Kane. Robert B.. 24 February 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 26 November 2016.
  19. Cornett & Johnson, p. 137
  20. Cornett & Johnson, p. 145
  21. Cornett & Johnson, p. 120
  22. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/435/777.xml Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Jan–Mar 1960
  23. Department of the Air Force/MPM Letter 648q, 31 July 1985, Subject: Reconstitution, Redesignation, and Consolidation of Selected Air Force Organizations
  24. Maurer, Combat Units, p. 425
  25. Web site: Factsheet 323 Air Division . Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://web.archive.org/web/20121030120205/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10143 . 10 May 2007. 30 October 2012 . 22 March 2014.
  26. Web site: Factsheet 53 Test and Evaluation Group (ACC). Bailey. Carl E.. 29 March 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053425/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=13916 . 4 March 2016. 19 October 2016.
  27. Web site: Factsheet 57 Air Division . 5 October 2007. Air Force Historical Research Agency . https://web.archive.org/web/20121013204459/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10111 . 13 October 2012. 2 April 2014.
  28. Cornett & Johnson, p. 73
  29. Web site: Factsheet 85 Test and Evaluation Squadron. Robertson. Patsy. 20 February 2015. Air Force Historical Research Agency . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303180126/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11941 . 3 March 2016. 26 November 2016.
  30. Web site: Factsheet 87 Flying Training Squadron (AETC). Robertson. Patsy. 20 February 2015. Air Force Historical Research Agency . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191332/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=11943 . 3 March 2016. 26 November 2016.
  31. Web site: Factsheet 99 Flying Training Squadron (AETC). Robertson. Patsy. 20 February 2015. Air Force Historical Research Agency . https://web.archive.org/web/20160303204617/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10562 . 3 March 2016. 26 November 2016.
  32. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 385
  33. See Abstract, History of 79th Air Base Squadron 1958–1959. Retrieved 14 May 2012
  34. Web site: Factsheet 49 Test and Evaluation Squadron (ACC). Kane. Robert B.. 15 January 2010. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 26 November 2016.
  35. Web site: Factsheet 72 Test and Evaluation Squadron (ACC). Warnock. A. Timothy. 2 December 2007. Air Force Historical Research Agency. 26 November 2016.
  36. Located at Alexandria by 1 January 1943 Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp CY 1943. Retrieved 13 May 2012
  37. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/717.xml Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Jan 1944
  38. Part of the group remained behind at Madna.
  39. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/723.xml Abstract,, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Jun 1944
  40. Airfield Identification Numbers from Johnson
  41. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/726.xml Abstract,, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Sep 1944
  42. The group history identifies this field as "Bron Airdrome".
  43. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/734.xml Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Mar 1945
  44. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/002/189.xml Abstract, History of Hoershing AB, Nov 1946
  45. http://airforcehistoryindex.org/data/000/080/738.xml Abstract, History of 79th Ftr Gp, Jul 1945

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