Lineage. Constituted as 26 Reconnaissance Squadron (Heavy) on 28 Jan 1942. Redesignated as 416 Bombardment Squadron (Heavy) on 22 Apr 1942. Activated on 1 Jun 1942. Redesignated as 416 Bombardment Squadron, Heavy, on 20 Aug 1943. Inactivated on 8 Nov 1945. Redesignated as 416 Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, on 3 Jul 1947. Activated in the Reserve on 17 Jul 1947. Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949. Consolidated (1 Oct 1992) with 6516 Test Squadron, which was designated, and activated, on 10 Mar 1989. Redesignated as: 416 Test Squadron on 2 Oct 1992; 416 Flight Test Squadron on 1 Mar 1994.
Assignments. 99 Bombardment Group, 1 Jun 1942–8 Nov 1945. 99 Bombardment Group, 17 Jul 1947–27 Jun 1949. 6510 (later, 412) Test Wing, 10 Mar 1989; 412 Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993–.
Stations. MacDill Field, FL, 1 Jun 1942; Pendleton Field, OR, 29 Jun 1942; Gowen Field, ID, 28 Aug 1942; Walla Walla, WA, 30 Sep 1942; Sioux City AAB, IA, 17 Nov 1942–3 Jan 1943; Navarin, Algeria, 25 Mar 1943; Oudna, Tunisia, 5 Aug 1943; Tortorella Afld, Italy, 14 Dec 1943; Marcianise, Italy, c. 27 Oct–8 Nov 1945. Robins AAFld (later, Robins AFB), GA, 17 Jul 1947–27 Jun 1949. Edwards AFB, CA, 10 Mar 1989–.
Aircraft. B–17, 1942–1945. Unkn, 1947–1949. F–16, 1989–.
Operations. Flew heavy bombers in combat in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, 31 Mar 1943–26 Apr 1945. Weapon systems and specialized equipment testing using the F–16, 1989–present.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. Air Offensive, Europe; 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: Sicily, 5 Jul 1943; Austria, 23 Apr 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 2010-31 Dec 2011; 1 Jan 2012-31 Dec 2012; 1 Jan-31 Dec 2013; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1996; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1998.
Lineage, Assignment, Stations, Aircraft, Operations, Honors through 1 Jul 2019.
Supersedes statement prepared 3 Nov 1997.
Emblem. Approved 10 Oct 1995.
Prepared by James Musser.
Reviewed by Daniel Haulman.