F-16 Reference

85th Test & Evaluation Squadron ( USAF ACC)

" Skulls"  

F-16 Units main menu | USAF Air Combat Command units overview
85 TES " Skulls" ( USAF ACC)
Status:
Active
Version: F-16C/D block 40/50
Role: Testing
Tailband: Black & White (checkerboard)
Motto: N/A
Badge: A skull with golden wings on a blue background.

Sideways profile for the 85th TES in 2005 with unit marking on the tail.

F-16 History

The squadron conducts Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) flights of tactical fighter systems and develops and tests tactics, techniques and concepts. The 85th TES conducts these missions for air-to-ground munitions, air-to-air missiles, electronic warfare systems, chemical defense systems and associated subcomponents and avionics. Besides this task, the squadron also flies Tactics Development and Evaluation (TD&E) missions for air-to-air and air-to-ground units throughout the combat air forces. New weapons and tactics are therefore tested by this unit first before they are being released to the operational units.

F-16 operations within the squadron started with its activation in 1991. F-16s had been flying for a longer period of time with the 4485th FS, which was disbanded in favour of the 85th TES. In the early stages, the squadron was equipped with block 30 and block 40 airframes. But gradually, the block 30 airframes were replaced by block 50 examples, which form the majority of the current inventory. Together with the F-16, the unit also flies A-10 and F-15 aircraft. Occasionally other types are flown as well for specific testing purposes.


USAF F-16D block 40 #90-0799 from the 85th TES is spotted on approach at Meacham Field in Fort Worth on May 30th, 2008. [Photo by Keith Robinson]

Aircraft Markings History

1991 - present

The tail consist of a black and white checkered tailband with the Air Combat Command logo beneath it. The tailcode is 'OT' with the serial number beneath it.


Unit History

  • 1942: Activation of the squadron in Dale Mabry, Florida
  • 1942: P-40 'Warhawk' (Morris Field, North Carolina, part of 79FG)
  • 1942: P-40 'Warhawk' (East Boston AP, Massachusetts)
  • 1942: P-40 'Warhawk' (Bedford, Massachusetts)
  • 1942: P-40 'Warhawk' (multiple bases in the African theatre)
  • 1943: P-40 'Warhawk' (multiple bases in the European theatre)
  • 1944: P-47 'Thunderbolt'
  • 1945: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Horsching [Aust.])
  • 1947: P-47 'Thunderbolt' (Langley Field, Virginia)
  • 1947: Disbanded
  • 1952: Activation of the squadron in Scott, Illinois
  • 1952: F-51 'Mustang'
  • 1953: F-86 'Sabre'
  • 1959: Disbanded
  • 1991: Activation of the squadron in Eglin, Florida
  • 1991: F-15C/D/E 'Eagle' (part of 79TEG)
  • 1991: A-10A 'Warthog' (simultaneous)
  • 1991: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (simultaneous)
  • 1991: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 53W)


F-16 Airframe Inventory

Photos

Errors and Omissions




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