419 Flight Test Squadron

Lineage.  Constituted as 29 Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Activated on 3 Feb 1942.  Redesignated as:  419 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1942; 419 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, c. 6 Mar 1944; 419 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 5 Aug 1945.  Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945.  Redesignated as 419 Bombardment Squadron, Medium, on 20 Aug 1958.  Activated on 1 Dec 1958. Discontinued, and inactivated, on 1 Jan 1962.  Consolidated (1 Oct 1992) with the 6519 Test Squadron, which was designated, and activated, on 10 Mar 1989.  Redesignated as: 419 Test Squadron on 2 Oct 1992; 419 Flight Test Squadron on 1 Mar 1994.

Assignments.  301 Bombardment Group, 3 Feb 1942–15 Oct 1945.  301 Bombardment Wing, 1 Dec 1958–1 Jan 1962.  6510 (later, 412) Test Wing, 10 Mar 1989; 412 Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993–.

Stations.  Geiger Field, WA, 3 Feb 1942; Alamogordo, NM, 28 May 1942 (operated from Muroc, CA, c. 28 May–14 Jun 1942); Richard E. Byrd Field, VA, 21 Jun–19 Jul 1942; Chelveston, England, 19 Aug 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 24 Nov 1942; Biskra, Algeria, 21 Dec 1942; Ain M’lila, Algeria, 16 Jan 1943; St-Donat, Algeria, 8 Mar 1943; Oudna, Tunisia, 6 Aug 1943; Cerignola, Italy, 10 Dec 1943; Lucera, Italy, 2 Feb 1944–Jul 1945; Sioux Falls AAFld, SD, 28 Jul 1945; Mountain Home AAFld, ID, 17 Aug 1945; Pyote AAFld, TX, 23 Aug–15 Oct 1945.  Lockbourne AFB, OH, 1 Dec 1958–1 Jan 1962.  Edwards AFB, CA, 10 Mar 1989–.

Service Streamers.  None. 

Campaign Streamers.  World War II:  Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Offensive, Europe; Egypt-Libya; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.

Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers.  None.

Decorations.  Distinguished Unit Citations:  Tunisia, 6 Apr 1943; Germany, 25 Feb 1944.  Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:  1 Jan 1961–1 Jan 1962; 1 Jan 2010-31 Dec 2011; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2012; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2013.

Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 15 Aug 2023.

Emblem.  Approved on 21 Feb 1990.  

Prepared by Melissa Lahue.

Reviewed by Margaret Ream.