419th Flight Test Squadron

The 419th is responsible for developmental testing of Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, Rockwell B-1 Lancer, and Boeing B-52 Stratofortress strategic bombers. It conducts tests to extend the usable life of these airframes, upgrade their combat capabilities, and integrate new weapons systems into their operation. It works closely with Air Combat Command operational testing elements for these systems, often flying with them on the same missions. It receives overall testing oversight from the program management offices of these systems.Salasovich, Maj Richard and Harmer, Capt Paul, A Year of Bomber Test: Legacy and Lessons Learned, 2005

The first predecessor of the squadron was organized as the 29th Reconnaissance Squadron, one of the four Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress squadrons of the 301st Bombardment Group in February 1942.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 436-439, 514Maurer, Combat Units, pp. 173-174 In April 1942, it was redesignated the 419th Bombardment Squadron, a heavy bomber unit. In late May, it moved to Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, although the air echelon operated from Muroc Army Air Base, flying antisubmarine patrols off the California coast until early June 1942. The ground echelon moved to Virginia to prepare for movement overseas, leaving for Fort Dix and the Port of Embarkation on 19 July. The air echelon left for Brainard Field, Connecticut in late June. The squadron ferried its Flying Fortresses via the North Atlantic ferry route as part of Operation Bolero, the build up of American forces in the United Kingdom.Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 514Freeman, p. 247 The squadron and its companion squadrons of the 301st Group were the first B-17F unit to arrive in England.Freeman, p. 13{{efn|The 97th Bombardment Group had arrived earlier, but was equipped with B-17Es. Freeman, p. 13.}}

File:King George VI at Alconbury.4.jpg visiting the 301st Bombardment Group in 1942.{{efn|The aircraft in the background is Boeing B-17F-1-BO Flying Fortress, serial 41-24352. This plane suffered severe battle damage on a mission to steel works at Lille, France (Although located in the Lille metropolitan area, the target was actually in Belgium, on the left bank of the Deûle River.) on 9 October 1942. The crew prepared to bail out but the bomber made it back to Chelveston with one engine on fire, two propellers feathered and a couple of hundred holes in it. Following this mission, it was named Holey Joe.}}]]

The ground and air echelons were reunited at RAF Chelveston on 19 August 1942. The squadron flew its first mission on 5 September 1942. From England it attacked targets primarily in France, including submarine pens, airfields, railroad targets, and bridges. On 14 September, the 301st Group and its squadrons were reassigned to XII Bomber Command in preparation for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa, but they continued to operate under the control of VIII Bomber Command. Between 20 and 23 November 1942, the air echelon moved forward to bases in southeastern England, from which it flew directly to Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria. The ground echelon sailed for Algeria from Liverpool on 8 December 1942.

File:301bg-b-17flyingfortress-2.jpg

Until August 1943, the squadron operated from airfields in Algeria, bombing docks, shipping facilities, airfields and marshalling yards in Tunisia, Sicily, and Sardinia. It also attacked enemy ships operating between Sicily and Tunisia. On 6 April 1943, the squadron withstood heavy flak from shore defenses and enemy vessels, when it attacked a merchant convoy near Bizerte, Tunisia carrying supplies essential for the Axis defense of Tunisia. For this mission it was awarded the Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC). In May and June, it participated in Operation Corkscrew, the bombing and invasion of Pantelleria, prior to the invasion of Sicily.

Starting in July 1943, the squadron began flying numerous missions to targets in Italy, moving forward to Oudna Airfield, Tunisia in early August. In November 1943, strategic and tactical forces in the Mediterranean were divided and the squadron became part of Fifteenth Air Force. It moved to Italy in December 1943 and in February 1944 it was established at Lucera Airfield, Italy, from which it would conduct combat operations for the remainder of the war. From its Italian base, it concentrated on the strategic bombing campaign against Germany, attacking oil centers, lines of communications, and industrial areas in Austria, Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, and Yugoslavia. On 23 February 1944, it participated in an attack on the Messerschmitt aircraft factory at Regensburg, succeeding despite "viscous" attacks by enemy interceptors. For this mission, it was awarded a second DUC.

The 419th also flew air support missions near Anzio and Monte Cassino, provided cover for Operation Dragoon, the invasion of southern France and the advance of the Red Army in the Balkans and the Allies of World War II advances in the Po Valley. It engaged in shuttle bombing missions to airfields in the Soviet Union during the summer of 1944.Millet, {{page needed|date=July 2017}}

Following V-E Day, the squadron remained in Italy until July 1945. In August, it was designated as a "very heavy" unit in preparation for conversion to the Boeing B-29 Superfortress and deployment to Pacific Theater. Before the squadron arrived at its planned training base, Pyote Army Air Field, Texas, Japan had surrendered and there was no need for additional bomber units. The squadron was inactivated in October 1945, shortly before Pyote ended training operations and became an aircraft storage depot.Pimlott, {{page needed|date=July 2017}}

File:Lockheed-Marietta B-47E Stratojet 53-1830 parked at Langley Air Force Base.jpg manufactured Boeing B-47E-55-LM Stratojet, serial 53-1830 parked at Langley Air Force Base in 1960. This plane was sent to the Military Aircraft Storage and Disposition Center on 18 January 1963 and scrapped on 30 October 1967. {{cite web |url= http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1953.html |last1=Baugher|first1=Joe |title=1953 USAF Serial Numbers|date=August 5, 2023|publisher=Joe Baugher|access-date=November 10, 2023}}}}]]

From 1958, the Boeing B-47 Stratojet wings of Strategic Air Command (SAC) began to assume an alert posture at their home bases, reducing the amount of time spent on alert at overseas bases. The SAC alert cycle divided itself into four parts: planning, flying, alert and rest to meet General Thomas S. Power's initial goal of maintaining one third of SAC’s planes on fifteen minute ground alert, fully fueled and ready for combat to reduce vulnerability to a Soviet missile strike.Schake, p. 220 (note 43) To implement this new system B-47 wings reorganized from three to four squadrons.Schake, p. 220 (note 43){{cite web |url= http://www.airforcehistoryindex.org/data/001/010/802.xml|title=Abstract (Unclassified), History of the Strategic Bomber since 1945 (Top Secret, downgraded to Secret)|date=1 April 1975|publisher=Air Force History Index|access-date=4 March 2014}} The 419th was activated at Lockbourne Air Force Base as the fourth squadron of the 301st Bombardment Wing. The alert commitment was increased to half the squadron's aircraft in 1962 and the four squadron pattern no longer met the alert cycle commitment, so the squadron was inactivated on 1 January 1962.

The second predecessor of the squadron was organized as the 6519th Test Squadron at Edwards Air Force Base in October 1989, taking over the Air Force Flight Test Center's Strategic Systems Division testing of the Boeing B-52G and B-52H Stratofortress. It gained the Rockwell B-1 Lancer program from the 6510th Test Squadron in 1991.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}} On 1 October 1992, the 6519th and 419th squadrons were consolidated, with the consolidated unit redesignating as the 419th Test Squadron the following day.

The squadron is the Air Force element of the Global Power Bomber Combined Test Force.{{cite web |url= https://www.spoc.spaceforce.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3040672/air-force-conducts-successful-hypersonic-weapon-test |author=No byline|title=Air Force conducts successful hypersonic weapon test|date=May 16, 2022|publisher=Space Operations Command Public Affairs|access-date=November 10, 2023}} It also operated the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) test program General Atomics MQ-1 Predator from 1994 until 2000, when the UAV program was realigned.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

File:419th Flight Test Squadron - Rockwell B-1B Lancer Lot IV 85-0075.jpg

The squadron added the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit program from the inactivating 420th Flight Test Squadron on 30 December 1997. It has also tested external weapons loads on the B-1 Lancer, in tests to increase its weapons loads both internally and by adding an external weapons carriage capability.{{cite web |url= https://www.aerotechnews.com/blog/2021/01/09/the-year-in-review-edwards-air-force-base/ |author=No byline|title=The Year in Review: Edwards Air Force Base|date=January 9, 2021|publisher=Aerotech News|access-date=November 12, 2023}} It has also tested the Litening targeting pod on the B-52.{{cite web |url= https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001301712/ |last1=Cannon|first1=Edward|title=419th Flight Test Squadron B-52 LITENING TRG Ground Las[]er Testing|date=|publisher=412 Test Wing Public Affairs|access-date=November 10, 2023}}

File:419th Flight Test Squadron - Boeing B-52H-150-BW Stratofortress 60-0034.jpg by March 2009, but returned to service in March 2019 with the 2nd Bomb Wing. {{cite web |url= http://www.joebaugher.com/usaf_serials/1960.html |last1=Baugher|first1=Joe |title=1960 USAF Serial Numbers|date=October 3, 2023|publisher=Joe Baugher|access-date=November 8, 2023}}}}]]

The squadron has also performed tests with hypersonic vehicles, launching them from its B-52s. In May 2010, a squadron launched a Boeing X-51 Waverider experimental unmanned scramjet.{{cite web |url= https://www.first.army.mil/People/Resources/New-to-First-Army/mod/70295/player/0/video/87016/419th%20Flight%20Test%20Squadron/ |last1=Waldman|first1=Dawn|title=X51 Historic Hypersonic Flight|date=June 2, 2010|publisher=95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs|access-date=November 12, 2023}} On 14 May 2022, a squadron B-52 launched a AGM-183A Air-launched Rapid Response Weapon, another hypersonic weapon. However, this program was cancelled in 2023, due to repeated system failures.{{cite web |url= https://www.defensenews.com/air/2023/03/30/us-air-force-drops-lockheed-hypersonic-missile-after-failed-tests/ |last1=Losey|first1=Stephen|title=US Air Force drops Lockheed hypersonic missile after failed tests|date=31 March 2023|publisher=DefenseNews|access-date=November 2, 2023}}

In the spring of 2015, the 445th Flight Test Squadron, which had been conducting "Test Operations" at Edwards was inactivated and its mission transferred to other test squadrons. In this reorganization, the squadron gained the Beechcraft C-12 Huron Formal Training Unit.{{Cite web|url= https://www.edwards.af.mil/News/Article/828776/test-ops-bids-farewell-consolidates-into-three-other-units/ |last=Fabara|first=Jet|title=Test Ops bids farewell, consolidates into three other units|date=May 7, 2015|publisher=412th Test Wing Public Affairs|access-date=October 20, 2023}}

; 419th Bombardment Squadron

• Constituted as the 29th Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 28 January 1942

: Activated on 3 February 1942

: Redesignated 419th Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 April 1942

: Redesignated 419th Bombardment Squadron, Heavy c. 6 March 1944

: Redesignated 419th Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy on 5 August 1945

: Inactivated on 15 October 1945

• Redesignated 419th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 20 August 1958

: Activated on 1 December 1958

: Discontinued and inactivated on 1 January 1962

• Consolidated with the 6519th Test Squadron as the 6519th Test Squadron on 1 October 1992

; 419th Flight Test Squadron

• Designated as the 6519th Test Squadron and activated on 10 March 1989
• Consolidated with the 419th Bombardment Squadron on 1 October 1992

: Redesignated 419th Test Squadron on 2 October 1992

: Redesignated 419th Flight Test Squadron on 1 March 1994

• 301st Bombardment Group, 3 Feb 1942 – 15 Oct 1945
• 301st Bombardment Wing, 1 Dec 1958 – 1 Jan 1962
• 6510th Test Wing (later 412th Test Wing), 10 March 1989
• 412th Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993 – present

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• Geiger Field, Washington, 3 February 1942
• Alamogordo Army Air Field, New Mexico, 28 May 1942 (operated from Muroc Army Air Base, California, c. 28 May - 14 June 1942)
• Richard E. Byrd Field, Virginia, 21 June - 19 July 1942
• RAF Chelveston (AAF-105),Station number in Anderson, p. 19. England, 19 August 1942
• Tafaraoui Airfield, Algeria, 24 November 1942
• Biskra Airfield, Algeria, 21 December 1942
• Ain M'lila Airfield, Algeria, 16 January 1943

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• Saint-Donat Airfield, Algeria, 8 March 1943
• Oudna Airfield, Tunisia, 6 August 1943
• Cerignola Airfield, Italy, 10 December 1943
• Lucera Airfield, Italy, 2 February 1944 – July 1945
• Sioux Falls Army Air Field, South Dakota, 28 July 1945
• Mountain Home Army Air Field, Idaho, 17 August 1945
• Pyote Army Air Field, Texas, 23 August – 15 October 1945
• Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio, 1 December 1958 – 1 January 1962
• Edwards Air Force Base, California, 10 March 1989 – present

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• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress, 1942–1945
• Boeing B-47 Stratojet, 1959–1961
• Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, 1989–present

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• Rockwell B-1 Lancer, 1991–present
• General Atomics MQ-1 Predator, 1994–2000
• Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit, 1997–presentRogers, {{page needed|date=July 2017}}
• Beechcraft C-12 Huron, 2015 – unknown

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{{unit awards table

|award_image1=AF PUC

|award_name1=Distinguished Unit Citation

|award_date1=6 April 1943

|award_notes1=Tunisia, 419th Bombardment Squadron

|award_image2=AF PUC

|award_name2=Distinguished Unit Citation

|award_date2=25 February 1944

|award_notes2=Germany, 419th Bombardment Squadron

|award_image3=AF OUA

|award_name3=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date3=1 January 1961–1 January 1962

|award_notes3=419th Bombardment Squadron

|award_image4=AF OUA

|award_name4=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date4=1 January 2010–31 December 2011

|award_notes4=419th Flight Test Squadron

|award_image5=AF OUA

|award_name5=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date5=1 January–31 December 2012

|award_notes5=419th Flight Test Squadron

|award_image6=AF OUA

|award_name6=Air Force Outstanding Unit Award

|award_date6=1 January–31 December 2013

|award_notes6=419th Flight Test Squadron

}}

• List of United States Air Force test squadrons
• Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress Units of the Mediterranean Theater of Operations
• List of B-47 units of the United States Air Force
• List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force
• List of B-1 units of the United States Air Force

; Explanatory notes

{{Notelist}}

; Citations

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}

• {{cite book|last=Anderson|first=Capt. Barry|title= Army Air Forces Stations: A Guide to the Stations Where U.S. Army Air Forces Personnel Served in the United Kingdom During World War II|url= https://www.dafhistory.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Timelines/World%20War%20II/usaaf_bases_in_united_kingdom.pdf?ver=2016-08-30-150752-303 |year=1985|publisher=Research Division, USAF Historical Research Center|location=Maxwell AFB, AL|access-date=March 1, 2021}}
• {{cite book|last=Freeman|first = Roger A. |author-link1=Roger A. Freeman|title=The Mighty Eighth: Units, Men and Machines (A History of the US 8th Army Air Force)|year=1970 |publisher=Macdonald and Company|location=London, England, UK |isbn=978-0-87938-638-2}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |archive-url= https://archive.today/20210115181723/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |url-status= dead |archive-date= 15 January 2021 |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
• {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|archive-url= https://archive.today/20230820144531/https://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|url-status= dead|archive-date= 20 August 2023|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
• {{cite book|last=Millet|first=Jeffrey R.|title=The Fifteenth Air Force Story: A History 1943–1985|year=1986 |publisher=Fifteenth Air Force Association|location=|asin=B000WAZRJ2}}
• {{cite book|last=Pimlott|first=Jeffrey R.|title=B-29 Superfortress|year=1980|publisher=Gallery Books|location=New York, NY|isbn=}}
• {{cite book|last=Rogers|first=Brian.|title=United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978|date=2005|publisher=Midland Publications|location=Hinkley, UK|isbn=1-85780-197-0}}
• {{cite book|last=Schake|first=Col Kurt W.|title=Strategic Frontier: American Bomber Bases Overseas, 1950–1960|url= http://www.theblackvault.com/documents/ADA353633.pdf |access-date=27 July 2015|year=1998|publisher=Norwegian University of Science and Technology|location= Trondheim, Norway|isbn=978-8277650241}}

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Category:Military units and formations in California