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14th Test Squadron

Summary

The 14th Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. It is an Air Force Reserve unit that augments the 17th Test Squadron. The squadron is responsible for testing and evaluating space systems and associated support equipment. The unit was originally established in 1972 as the 14th Missile Warning Squadron. The missile warning squadron was an active duty unit that operated early warning radars at eight locations around the United States until it was inactivated in 1980. The squadron was reactivated and given its current space test mission in 2000.

14th Test Squadron
Joint 14th and 17th Test Squadrons team preparing for a test
Active1972–1980; 2000–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleSpace systems test and evaluation
SizeSquadron
Part ofAir Force Space Command
Garrison/HQSchriever Air Force Base
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
14th Test Squadron emblem (approved 2 January 2001)[1]
14th Missile Warning Squadron emblem

Mission edit

Cold War edit

The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was constituted on 17 April 1972 and activated on 8 July 1972. The unit was assigned to the Fourteenth Aerospace Force. Its primary mission was detecting and tracking intercontinental ballistic missiles and sea-launched ballistic missiles. The squadron was also responsible for tracking satellites that passed over the United States.[2][3][4]

The squadron operated radars at eight geographically separated locations around the United States. The radar sites began operating in the mid-1960s under other command elements, but were brought together into one squadron when the 14th Missile Warning Squadron was established in 1972. Seven of the sited operated the AN/FSS-7 missile warning radar (also known as a Fuzzy-7 radar), a modified version of the AN/FPS-26 height-finder radar. One radar site (Moorestown) operated a prototype AN/FPS-49 missile-warning radar. The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was inactivated in 1980.[3][4]

Today edit

The mission of the 14th Test Squadron is to enhance warfighting capabilities of Air Force Space Command by testing and evaluating space assets. To accomplish this, unit personnel provide long-term continuity and technical expertise to active duty test managers conducting operational tests on new space systems. The squadron also supports specific test operations at Cheyenne Mountain Complex and information assurance testing throughout Air Force Space Command.[5][6]

Organization edit

Cold War edit

 
AN/FPS-26 radar inside radome

The 14th Missile Warning Squadron was assigned to the 14th Aerospace Force from 8 July 1972 to 30 September 1976. It was then assigned to Aerospace Defense Command from 1 October 1976 to 30 November 1979. Finally, it was assigned to 42d Air Division of Strategic Air Command from 1 December 1979 until the unit was inactivated on 1 October 1980.[1]

The squadron was originally stationed at Laredo Air Force Base, Texas. It was located there from 8 July 1972 until the base closed 1 January 1974. In 1975, the squadron moved to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. The squadron was located at MacDill from 30 June 1975 until the unit was inactivated in 1980.[1]

The 14th Missile Warning Squadron's eight detachments were located along the east and west coasts of the United States. The warning radars were at:

  • Detachment 1 was located at Moorestown, New Jersey. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated AN/FPS-49 prototype radar; maintained by RCA under contract to the Air Force. It was inactivated on 31 March 1975.[2][3][7]
  • Detachment 2 was located at Mount Hebo Air Force Station, Oregon. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was inactivated on 15 September 1980.[2][3][8]
 
Mill Valley Air Force Station radar facility, 1975
  • Detachment 3 was located at Mill Valley Air Force Station, California. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was inactivated on 15 September 1980.[2][3][9]
  • Detachment 4 was located at Mount Laguna Air Force Station, California. It was activated on 8 July 1972. the detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was discontinued on 15 September 1980.[2][3][10]
  • Detachment 5 was located at Fort Fisher Air Force Station, North Carolina. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was discontinued on 1 July 1980.[2][3][11]
  • Detachment 6 was located at Charleston Air Force Station, Maine. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was discontinued on 1 July 1980.[2][3][12]
  • Detachment 7 was located at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FPS-26A radar modified to AN/FSS-7 radar. It was discontinued on 31 August 1980.[2][3][13]
  • Detachment 8 was located at Laredo Missile Tracking Site, Texas. It was activated on 8 July 1972. The detachment operated an AN/FSS-7 radar which was installed in its final configuration. The radar was not modified from a previously installed AN/FPS-26. It was discontinued on 30 June 1975.[2][3][14]

Today edit

The 14th Test Squadron is an Air Force Reserve squadron. Its personnel augment the 17th Test Squadron, its active duty counterpart unit. The two units cooperate on many test and evaluation efforts, providing senior Air Force leaders with an independent assessment of new space systems. Since the acquisition process for space systems can take several years, reservists from the 14th Test Squadron provide program continuity. Reservists also bring unique expertise and extensive experience to complex test and evaluation programs they support.[5][6][15]

The squadron has three flights that provide operational test and evaluation support to Air Force Space Command and major commands.[5]

  • The Weapons and Surveillance Flight is located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado. Its personnel test the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment System, which provides real-time threat information to the National Command Authority. This flight directly supports the homeland defense mission of North American Aerospace Defense Command and the United States Northern Command.[5]
  • The Information Assurance Flight is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The flight conducts information assurance assessments of space systems. Its personnel use their expertise in networking, operating systems, databases, and information assurance controls to identify space system vulnerabilities for Air Force Space Command units.[5]
  • The Evaluation and Assessment Flight is located at Schriever Air Force Base. It supports rapid delivery of new space systems. The flight uses innovative non-traditional management techniques to help expedite the delivery of space assets.[5]

Redesignation edit

On 1 October 2000, the Air Force reactivated the unit as the 14th Test Squadron. The mission of the 14th Test Squadron is to test and evaluate of space assets for Air Force Space Command. To accomplish this, unit personnel provide long-term continuity and technical expertise to active duty test managers conducting operational tests on new space systems. The squadron also supports specific test operations at Cheyenne Mountain Complex.[2][5]

The 14th Test Squadron is an Air Force Reserve squadron. The unit supports its active duty counterpart, the 17th Test Squadron. The two units cooperate on many test efforts, providing senior Air Force leaders with an independent assessment of new space systems. Since the acquisition process for space systems can take several years, reservists from the 14th Test Squadron provide continuity to long-term test and evaluation programs.[5][6][15]

The 14th Test Squadron is located at Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado. The squadron is assigned to the 310th Operations Group. The squadron has three flights. The Weapons and Surveillance Flight is located at Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, Colorado. Its personnel test the Integrated Tactical Warning and Attack Assessment System, which provides real-time threat information to the National Command Authority. The Information Assurance Flight is located at Schriever Air Force Base. The flight conducts information assurance assessments of space systems. Its personnel use their expertise in networking, operating systems, databases, and information assurance controls to identify space system vulnerabilities for Air Force Space Command. The Evaluation and Assessment Flight is also located at Schriever Air Force Base. It supports rapid delivery of new space systems. The flight uses non-traditional management techniques to help expedite the delivery of space assets.[5][6]

Lineage edit

  • Constituted as the 14th Missile Warning Squadron on 17 April 1972
Activated on 8 July 1972
Inactivated on 1 October 1980
  • Redesignated 14th Test Squadron on 10 March 2000
Activated on 1 October 2000[1]

Assignments edit

  • Fourteenth Aerospace Force, 8 July 1972
  • Aerospace Defense Command, 1 October 1976
  • 42d Air Division, 1 December 1979 – 1 October 1980
  • 310th Space Group, 1 October 2000
  • 310th Operations Group 7 March 2008 – present[1]

Stations edit

  • Laredo Air Force Base, Texas, 8 July 1972
  • Laredo, Texas, 1 January 1974
  • MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, 30 June 1975 – 1 October 1980
  • Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 October 2000 – present[1]

Awards edit

Award streamer Award Dates Notes
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 July 1974 – 1 April 1976 14th Missile Warning Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 2 April 1976 – 1 April 1978 14th Missile Warning Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 2 April 1978 – 30 June 1979 14th Missile Warning Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2000 – 30 September 2002 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 October 2002 – 30 July 2004 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 August 2004 – 31 July 2006 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 2004 – 31 August 2005 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 2005 – 31 August 2006 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 August 2006 – 31 July 2008 14th Test Squadron[1]
  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award 1 September 2006 – 31 August 2007 14th Test Squadron[1]

See also edit

References edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Kane, Robert B. (28 December 2010). "Factsheet 14 Test Squadron (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 31 May 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Kan, Kenneth C., "Information Request: Lineage and honors history of the 14th Test Squadron which was originally constituted as the 14th Missile Warning Squadron", Air Force Historical Research Agency, Office of Air Force History, United States Air Force, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, 14 October 2008.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Winkler & Webster, p. 54.
  4. ^ a b "The 14th Missile Warning Squadron (ADCOM)" Archived 19 September 2012 at the Wayback Machine, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "14th Test Squadron" Archived 2 December 2010 at the Wayback Machine, 310th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command, United States Air Force, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 21 January 2011.
  6. ^ a b c d "14th Test Squadron" Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, My Base Guide, Air Force Space Command, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado, 23 January 2011.
  7. ^ "Information for Moorestown FPS-49, NJ"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  8. ^ "Information for Mount Hebo AFS, OR"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  9. ^ "Information for Mill Valley AFS, CA"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  10. ^ "Information for Mount Laguna AFS, CA", Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  11. ^ "Information for Mount Fort Fisher AFS, NC", Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  12. ^ "Information for Charleston AFS, ME"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  13. ^ "Information for MacDill AFB, FL"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  14. ^ "Information for Laredo AFS, TX"[permanent dead link], Online Air Defense Radar Museum, The Air Defense Radar Veterans' Association, http://www.radomes.org/, Baltimore, Ohio, 22 January 2011.
  15. ^ a b Liang, Jeff (Second Lieutenant), "Unique Partnership: Reserve test squadron teams up with active-duty Airmen" Archived 29 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Citizen Airman, United States Air Force, Schriever Air Force Base, Colorado, 20 May 2008.

Bibliography edit

  This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

  • Winkler, David F.; Webster, Julie L (1997). Searching the skies: The legacy of the United States Cold War Defense Radar Program (PDF). Champaign, IL: US Army Construction Engineering Research Laboratories. LCCN 97020912. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 31 May 2018.

External links edit

  • Air Force Link
  • United States Historical Research Agency
  • Online Air Defense Radar Museum

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