About this Unit
The 96th Test Wing, headquartered at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, traces its lineage to the 96th Bombardment Group formed during World War II. The unit played a pivotal role in the European theater, conducting strategic bombing missions over Nazi-occupied Europe. Reactivated and redesignated over the years, it evolved to support the Air Force’s test and evaluation mission. Today, the 96th Test Wing is the Air Force's premier test organization, responsible for testing a wide array of air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, and command and control systems, ensuring U.S. air superiority.
Historical Facts
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Heritage: The 96th Test Wing traces its roots to the 96th Bombardment Group (Heavy), activated in 1942 and renowned for flying B-17 Flying Fortress missions during World War II.
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Current Mission: Today, the 96th Test Wing serves as the host wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and is responsible for developmental testing and evaluation of air-delivered weapons, navigation and guidance systems, command and control systems, and Air Force Special Operations Command systems.
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World War II Service: The original 96th Bombardment Group earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for its performance in strategic bombing campaigns over Europe, including missions over Regensburg and Munster.
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Base Operations: The 96th Test Wing manages Eglin AFB, one of the largest Air Force bases in the world, covering approximately 724 square miles of land and 123,000 square miles of overwater test ranges.
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Test Programs: The Wing has tested countless major Air Force weapon systems, including the F-35 Lightning II, F-15 Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and various precision-guided munitions.
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Environmental Stewardship: Eglin AFB, under the 96th Test Wing, is home to diverse ecosystems and endangered species, and the Wing is recognized for its environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.
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Unit Reactivation: The 96th Bombardment Group was inactivated after World War II, but its lineage was revived in 1994 when the 96th Air Base Wing was activated at Eglin, later redesignated as the 96th Test Wing in 2012.
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Large Workforce: The 96th Test Wing employs more than 10,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel, making it one of the largest employers in Northwest Florida.
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Support to Special Operations: The Wing supports testing and evaluation for Air Force Special Operations Command, providing crucial input for the development and improvement of specialized aircraft and tactics.
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Community Engagement: The 96th Test Wing is known for its community involvement, including public air shows, STEM outreach programs, and disaster response assistance in the Gulf Coast region.
