3246th Test Wing

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Branch

U.S. Air Force

Members

About 3246th Test Wing

The 3246th Test Wing was an Air Force unit established in 1970 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, as part of the Air Force Systems Command. Its primary mission was to conduct flight testing and evaluation of weapons, electronic systems, and aircraft modifications for the U.S. Air Force. The wing played a significant role in advancing air combat capabilities throughout the 1970s and 1980s, supporting a wide range of test programs including those for precision-guided munitions and electronic warfare systems. The 3246th Test Wing was inactivated in 1992, with its functions and personnel absorbed by the 46th Test Wing during a broader reorganization of Air Force test activities.

Unit Members

James Thomas

U.S. Air Force

3246th Test WingView Profile

Brian Spessard

U.S. Air Force

3246th Test WingView Profile

Photos

U.S. Air Force • 1976

stationed at johnson air force base in japan

U.S. Air Force • 1949

About 3246th Test Wing

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• Unique Role: The 3246th Test Wing was a United States Air Force unit tasked with flight testing and evaluation of advanced weapons, avionics, and aircraft systems primarily at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. • Formation: The unit was activated in 1970, consolidating several test squadrons under a single command to streamline developmental and operational testing. • Vietnam War Era: The 3246th played a crucial role during the Vietnam War, testing modifications to aircraft and munitions to improve combat effectiveness and survivability. • Varied Aircraft: The wing operated and tested a wide array of aircraft, including the F-4 Phantom II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and A-10 Thunderbolt II. • Precision Guided Munitions: The 3246th was instrumental in testing early generations of precision-guided bombs and missiles, helping to bring modern "smart" munitions into widespread use. • Safety Innovations: Many flight test safety procedures and protocols used throughout the Air Force were pioneered by the 3246th's test pilots and engineers. • Notable Operations: The wing supported "Project Constant Guard," testing aircraft modifications for Operation Desert Storm and other rapid deployment scenarios in the late 1980s and early 1990s. • Specialized Squadrons: The wing included the 3247th and 3248th Test Squadrons, each specializing in different types of aircraft and weapons systems. • Deactivation: The 3246th Test Wing was inactivated in 1992, replaced by the 46th Test Wing as part of a USAF reorganization. • Legacy: Many of the test methodologies, data systems, and operational concepts developed by the 3246th are still in use today by the Air Force Test Center and beyond.