About this Unit
The **6515th Test Support Squadron (TSS)** was a United States Air Force unit stationed at Edwards Air Force Base, California. Activated in the late 1950s, the squadron played a crucial role in supporting flight test operations for experimental aircraft and aerospace systems during the height of the Cold War. Its responsibilities included providing logistical, technical, and operational support for a variety of test programs, including those involving high-speed and high-altitude aircraft such as the X-series and early stealth platforms. The 6515th TSS continued its mission until it was eventually redesignated and merged into other test support organizations as part of broader Air Force restructuring efforts.
Historical Facts
• Specialized Test Squadron: The 6515th Test Support Squadron (TSS) was a unit of the United States Air Force primarily focused on supporting flight test operations, particularly at Edwards Air Force Base, California.
• Edwards AFB Association: The squadron was based at the legendary Edwards Air Force Base, known as the "center of the aerospace testing universe" and home to many groundbreaking aviation achievements.
• Support for X-Planes: The 6515th TSS provided vital logistical and operational support for experimental "X-planes," including the X-15 rocket plane, one of the fastest manned aircraft ever flown.
• Role in Space Program: The unit contributed to early space exploration efforts by supporting tests for aircraft and systems that would pave the way for U.S. space missions.
• Rescue and Recovery Operations: The squadron was responsible for search and rescue, as well as recovery operations for downed test aircraft and pilots, helping to improve flight safety.
• Chase Aircraft Operations: Members of the 6515th TSS operated chase planes that accompanied test flights, gathering vital air-to-air footage and monitoring test aircraft performance.
• Aircraft Variety: The TSS maintained and operated a diverse fleet, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, adapting to the unique requirements of high-risk test missions.
• Support for Legendary Pilots: The squadron worked alongside famous test pilots such as Chuck Yeager and Scott Crossfield, who relied on their expertise during record-setting flights.
• Merger and Legacy: In the early 1990s, the 6515th TSS was merged and redesignated as part of the 412th Test Wing, but its legacy continues in today's test support operations at Edwards AFB.
• Involvement in Film and Media: Due to its proximity to Hollywood and involvement in high-profile test programs, the squadron and its aircraft sometimes appeared in documentaries and movies about aviation history.
