445th Flight Test Squadron The 445th Flight Test Squadron ( 445 FTS ) is a United States Air Force squadron . It is assigned to the 412th Operations Group , Air Force Materiel Command , stationed at Edwards Air Force Base , California . Overview . The 445th FLTS part of the Air Force Flight Test Center . The squadron formulate the test program , develop the criteria for flight test missions , execute flight test missions , analyze data from the test flights and report on the results . The military personnel , government civilians , and contractors all work together as a team . This concept enables a cheaper , faster , and more effective test program and produces a more effective aerospace system for the warfighter . The 445th is the oldest active Flight Test Squadron at Edwards AFB . Currently , the squadron flies the F - 16C / D Fighting Falcons and T - 38C Talon s . History . World War II . Activated at Orlando AAB , Florida in early 1943 as part of the Air University Army Air Force School of Applied Tactics ( AAFSAT ) . AAFSAT ' s function was to train cadres from newly - formed units in combat operations under simulated field conditions as the cores around which new combat groups would be formed . The 445th initially trained pilots and furnished cadres to night fighter units . Later , it engaged in mock combat missions over the AAFSAT range training pilots in combat maneuvers , flying a wide variety of fighters and bombers . Remained at the AAFSAT until March 1944 when the training mission of the groups was replaced by the 903d Army Air Forces Base Unit on 1 April 1944 with " Section C " taking over the fighter training , and " Section D " , the bombardment training . Reassigned to Muroc AAB , California , assigned to the 412th Fighter Group , Fourth Air Force . It was the first United States jet fighter squadron to be activated , and spent most of its early existence in experimental testing of the P - 59A and P - 80 aircraft . The squadron developed training programs and trained aircrew and ground personnel as cadres for newly formed jet aircraft - equipped units . Also flight tested the captured Mitsubishi A6M Zero ( Zeke - 52 ) ; the XR - 3 ( Autogyro ) and Sikorsky R - 4 ( Helicopter ) It was inactivated on 3 July 1946 , its mission being assumed by the 2759th Experimental Wing . Air Defense Command . Reactivated under Air Defense Command in March 1953 at Geiger Field , Washington . In July , the first F - 86D Sabre interceptors were assigned . The pilots and airmen were relatively inexperienced and the maintenance crew small . Within eighteen months , this group became the finest combat unit in the Western Air Defense Force . The highpoint in July 1954 was " Operation Checkpoint , " a joint SAC - ADC exercise that extended for 3 days . With sunny days and early takeoffs , the pilot ’ s proficiency increased rapidly and aircraft maintenance became the best in ADC . In August 1954 , " Project Arrow " replaced the 445th FIS with the 497th FIS that was moved up from Portland , Oregon . The 445th FIS was transferred , on paper only , to Wurtsmith AFB , Michigan in 1955 performing air defense duties over the Great Lakes area and upper Midwest equipped with F - 89D Scorpions . The 445th FIS was upgraded to the new F - 89G Scorpion in March 1956 ( the first F - 89G squadron in ADC ) ; and upgraded to the F - 89J in September 1957 . Was re - equipped with new McDonnell F - 101B Voodoo supersonic interceptor , and the F - 101F operational and conversion trainer in 1960 . The two - seat trainer version was equipped with dual controls , but carried the same armament as the F - 101B and were fully combat - capable . Operated the Voodoos until September 1968 , the aircraft being passed along to the Air National Guard and the squadron inactivated as part of the general drawdown of the ADC active - duty interceptor force . Flight testing . Reactivated at Edwards AFB , California in 1969 as the Air Force Systems Command 6512th Test Squadron . Managed all aircraft types not assigned to the various centers / Flight Test Squadrons . From 1989 , primarily operated test support , TPS support , and test program aircraft not associated with CTFs . Aircraft types flown by the 6512th / 445th included : A / YA - 7D , VA - 7F , A - 7K , NA / OA - 37B , NF - 4C / D / E , YF - 4E , NRF - 4C , F - 15A / B / C / D / E , F - 111A , F - 111D , FB - 111A ( later , F - 111G ) , UH - 1N , O - 2A , T - 37B , T - 38A , AT - 38B , T - 38C , and UV - 18 . Converted from provisional status with re - designation as 4445th Flight Test Squadron in October 1992 as part of transfer from Systems Command to Air Force Material Command . Retired the F - 111s in 1990 . Retired the A - 7s and F - 4s in 1992 . Retired the last A - 37s after a mishap in 1994 . Transferred the UH - 1Ns to other bases c . 1994 - 95 . Absorbed F - 15s from the inactivated 415th Flight Test Squadron on 1 October 1994 . From that date , primarily flew F - 15A / B / C / D / E , TA - 38A / C , and AT - 38B . Inactivated in late 2001 but activated again in early 2004 in a series of reorganizations at Edwards . Over the squadron ' s history , more than 100 aircraft have been flown as part of various test and evaluation programs .