3246th Test Wing

3246th Test Wing
3246th Test Wing
	3246th Test Wing – Emblem
Active	1970–1992
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Testing
Motto(s)	"Proof by Test"

F-16A block 15, *80-0573*, from the 3247th Test Squadron, armed with an AIM-9 Sidewinder missile and a cluster weapon in flight on 12 May 1986. Aircraft now on display at Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB, FL.

McDonnell Douglas RF-4C-40-MC Phantom II, *68-0594*, 3247th Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida, in Vietnam-era camouflage.

McDonnell F-4C-23-MC Phantom II, *64-0817*, 3247th Test Squadron, Eglin AFB, Florida. Note ADCOM Gray scheme. Retired about 1990, now on display at Air Force Armament Museum, Eglin AFB.

The 3246th Test Wing was a flight test component of the Air Proving Ground Center, later Armament Division, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and was activated 1 July 1970 to provide weapon and countermeasures test duties. It was replaced by the 46th Test Wing in October 1992.

This unit is notable for operating the last active-duty USAF F-4D Phantom II (66-8800), relegated to the Eglin target range in July 1992. It carried the logo "Phantoms Phorever 1963–1992". 66-8800 has been sitting on the ramp at Pierce Field (Eglin Auxiliary Field #2) since retirement. It is there in 2012.^[1]

History

Assigned to the 3246th Test Wing was the 3247th Test Squadron, which inherited F-4C/D/E and RF-4C Phantom II aircraft formerly assigned to the Air Proving Ground Center's 4533d Test Wing. The 3247th aircraft carried AD and ET tail codes, and a white tailband with red diamonds.

Components

6585th Test Group, 1 January 1984 – 1 October 1992
3247th Test Squadron, 1 July 1970 – 1 October 1992 (inactivated and consolidated with 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron)

Stations

Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 1 July 1970 – 1 October 1992

Aircraft

References

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

^ Thornbororough, Anthony M., and Davies, Peter E., "The Phantom Story", Arms and Armour Press, A Cassell Imprint, London, UK, 1994, ISBN 1-85409-121-2, page 278.

Martin, Patrick. Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. ISBN 0-88740-513-4. Image source listed as United States Air Force

[1] Thornbororough, Anthony M., and Davies, Peter E., "The Phantom Story", Arms and Armour Press, A Cassell Imprint, London, UK, 1994, ISBN 1-85409-121-2, page 278.

[1]