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422nd Test & Evaluation Squadron ( USAF ACC)" Green Bats" |
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422 TES " Green Bats" ( USAF ACC) | |||
| Status: |
Active
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| Version: | F-16C/D block 42/52 | |||
| Role: | Testing | |||
| Tailband: | Green & Black | |||
| Motto: | N/A | |||
| Badge: | N/A | |||
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Wears either an 'OT' or 'WA' tail code and is based out of Nellis AFB but is under the 53rd Wing.
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Sideways profile for the 422nd TES in 2004 with unit markings on the tail.
F-16 History
The history of the F-16 within the 422nd TES stretches for more the three decades which makes it one of the longest consecutive operator of any aircraft type in USAF history. When the first aircraft came off the production line in 1979 the 422nd received a couple of early block 1, 5 and 10 airframes to conduct different kinds of tests on the airframes. The squadron is very unique in this way that it flies different aircraft types simultaneously. In general the squadron conducts Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) flights of tactical fighter systems and develops and tests tactics, techniques and concepts. The unit conducts operational tests for Air Combat Command on new hardware and upgrades to each of five aircraft (F-16C, F-15C, F-15E, A-10C and F-22A) in a simulated combat environment. The 422nd TES also develops and publishes new tactics for these aircraft.
In the early years the squadron was equipped with block 1, 5 and 10 airframes, but during the 1980’s these were replaced by newer blocks starting with the block 25 and ending with the current mixed fleet of block 42/52 airframes.
During the years the squadron has also performed specific testing for the F-16. These included weapons integrations tests for the AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9X Sidewinder, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-154 JSOW, AGM-65 Maverick, CBU-87 WCMD and many others. Also advanced testing for external pods like LANTIRN or SNIPER and Litening III were conducted by the 422nd TES.
Two other programs were also conducted. In the early nineties the MATV program was started. Although the squadron didn’t operate the MATV F-16, it did fly support missions for this program. But specialized programs did start even earlier. A few years before the MATV program F-16s of the 422nd TES were involved in the A-16 project. This project aimed as introducing the F-16 as a replacement for the A-10 in the CAS role. Up to 7 F-16s were painted in the European One camouflage colors and equipped with a Pave Penny laser pod. Tests were conducted but eventually the whole plan came to a halt. Today the A-10 is still used as a primary CAS aircraft, but the F-16 can also perform this task. The USAF doesn’t use them for this that often (due to the availability of the A-10) but foreign air forces without the A-10 do often use the F-16 in a dedicated CAS role. With the introduction of more advanced targeting pods like SNIPER and Litening III this was made possible.
Worth mentioning is that the squadrons unique in another way. It is based out of Nellis AFB, but officially it resides under the 53rd Wing that is operated out of Eglin AFB. To show this unique configuration the squadron flies with aircraft both carrying the ‘OT’ tailcode as the ‘WA’ tailcode. When showing the WA tailcode the aircraft are adorned with a black and yellow checkered tailband – just as the other Nellis AFB based units – and when they’re adorned with the OT tailcode they show a black and green checkered tailband.
Aircraft Markings History
The tail consist of a black and yellow checkered tailband with the tailcode 'WA' in the center. The Tactical Air Command - and later Air Combat Command - logo is placed between these and the serial is at the bottom of the tail. Additionally a birds head is sometimes present on the tail base.
The tail consist of a black and green checkered tailband with the tailcode 'OT' in the center. The Tactical Air Command - and later Air Combat Command - logo is placed between these and the serial is at the bottom of the tail.
Unit History
- 1943: Activation of the squadron in Orlando, Florida
- 1943: DB-7 'Boston' (part of AAF School)
- 1943: P-70 'Havoc' (part of 481 NFOTG)
- 1943: P-70 'Havoc' (Kissimmee Field, Florida)
- 1943: YP-61 'Black Widow'
- 1944: P-61 'Black Widow' (Orlando AB, Florida)
- 1944: P-61 'Black Widow' (Charmy Down [Eng.])
- 1944: P-61 'Black Widow' (part of 71 FW, Scorton [Eng.])
- 1944: A-20 'Havoc' (Maupertus [Fr.])
- 1944: A-20 'Havoc' (Chateaudun [Fr.])
- 1944: A-20 'Havoc' (Florennes [Bel.])
- 1945: A-20 'Havoc' (Strassfeld [Germ.])
- 1945: A-20 'Havoc' (Langensalza [Germ.])
- 1945: A-20 'Havoc' (Kassel [Germ.])
- 1945: A-20 'Havoc' (Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts)
- 1945: Disbanded
- 1969: Activation of the squadron in Nellis, Nevada
- 1969: F-4D/E 'Phantom II' (part of 57 FWW)
- 1969: F-111A/B/G 'Aardvark' (simultaneous)
- 1970: A-10A 'Thunderbolt II' (simultaneous)
- 1970: F-15A/B 'Eagle' (simultaneous)
- 1977: F-15C/D 'Eagle' (simultaneous)
- 1979: F-16A/B 'Fighting Falcon' (simultaneous)
- 1981: F-16A/B 'Fighting Falcon' (part of 57 FW)
- 1984: F-16C/D 'Fighting Falcon' (simultaneous)
- 1987: F-15E 'Eagle' (simultaneous)
- 1991: F-15E 'Eagle' (part of 57 TG)
- 1997: F-15E 'Eagle' (part of 79 TEG)
- 1998: F-22A 'Raptor' (simultaneous)
- 1998: F-22A 'Raptor' (part of 53 TEG)
- 2005: A-10C 'Thunderbolt II' (simultaneous)
F-16 Airframe Inventory
- All 422 TES F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database (past and current aircraft)
- Current 422 TES F-16s in our F-16 Aircraft Database
Photos
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