The 3246th Test Wing was a flight test component of the Air Proving Ground Center, later Armament Division, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, and was activated 1 July 1970 to provide weapon and countermeasures test duties. It was replaced by the 46th Test Wing in October 1992.
This unit is notable for operating the last active-duty USAF F-4D Phantom II (66-8800), relegated to the Eglin target range in July 1992. It carried the logo "Phantoms Phorever 1963–1992". 66-8800 has been sitting on the ramp at Pierce Field (Eglin Auxiliary Field #2) since retirement. It is there in 2012.
History
Assigned to the 3246th Test Wing was the 3247th Test Squadron, which inherited F-4C/D/E and RF-4C Phantom II aircraft formerly assigned to the Air Proving Ground Center's 4533d Test Wing. The 3247th aircraft carried AD and ET tail codes, and a white tailband with red diamonds.
Components
- 6585th Test Group, 1 January 1984 – 1 October 1992
- 3247th Test Squadron, 1 July 1970 – 1 October 1992 (inactivated and consolidated with 40th Tactical Fighter Squadron)
Stations
- Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 1 July 1970 – 1 October 1992
Aircraft
- A-10A Thunderbolt II
- YA-10B Thunderbolt II
- C-131B Samaritan
- C-130 Hercules
- F-4 Phantom II
- RF-4C Phantom II
- F-15 Eagle
- F-15E Strike Eagle
- F-16 Fighting Falcon
- F-100D Super Sabre
- General Dynamics F-111A
- General Dynamics F-111E
- T-38 Talon
- CT-39A Sabreliner
- HH-1H, UH-1N Huey
- UH-60 Black Hawk
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Martin, Patrick. Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings. Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. ISBN 0-88740-513-4. Image source listed as United States Air Force
References
Thornbororough, Anthony M., and Davies, Peter E., "The Phantom Story", Arms and Armour Press, A Cassell Imprint, London, UK, 1994, ISBN 1-85409-121-2, page 278. /wiki/ISBN_(identifier) ↩