About this Unit
The 46th Test Wing, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, was a key unit within the U.S. Air Force responsible for the developmental testing and evaluation of air-delivered weapons, navigation, and guidance systems. Its Armament Flight (Arm. Flt.) specialized in the assessment and improvement of advanced munitions and armament systems, ensuring operational effectiveness and reliability. The Wing played a crucial role in testing cutting-edge weapon technologies that enhanced the combat capabilities of the Air Force. In 2012, the 46th Test Wing was inactivated and its mission and personnel were integrated into the 96th Test Wing as part of an Air Force Materiel Command restructuring.
Historical Facts
• Formation and Mission: The 46th Test Wing was activated in 1992 at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, to manage and conduct developmental testing and evaluation of Air Force weapon systems, aircraft, and munitions.
• Predecessor Units: The wing traces its lineage back to the World War II-era 46th Bombardment Group, which flew anti-submarine patrols and later trained aircrews for B-25 Mitchell bombers.
• Armament Flight: The Armament Flight (often denoted as 46th Arm. Flt.) was a specialized component focused on testing and evaluating the latest munitions, bombs, and air-launched weapons for the Air Force.
• Testing the Latest Technology: The wing has played a key role in the development and testing of precision-guided munitions such as the Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).
• Aircraft Variety: Over the years, the 46th Test Wing has operated and tested a wide range of aircraft, including the F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II, and even unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
• Support to Special Operations: The unit tested and evaluated weapons and systems specifically for Air Force Special Operations Command, helping to ensure their unique mission requirements were met.
• Gulf War Legacy: Many of the munitions validated by the 46th Test Wing were critical to the success of precision strike operations during the Gulf War and subsequent conflicts.
• Range Resources: The 46th Test Wing managed the extensive Eglin Air Force Base range complex, providing over 724 square miles of land and 123,000 square miles of overwater test area for live-fire and weapons testing.
• Merger and Transition: In July 2012, the 46th Test Wing was inactivated and its resources transferred to the 96th Test Wing, as part of an Air Force Materiel Command reorganization.
• Distinguished Personnel: Throughout its history, the wing has included highly decorated pilots, engineers, and test professionals, and has been awarded numerous Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards for its achievements in testing and evaluation.
