28th Test Squadron The 28th Test and Evaluation Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit . Its current assignment is with the 53d Wing , based at Eglin Air Force Base , Florida . Overview . The 28th Test Squadron evaluates the effectiveness and suitability of weapons and avionics systems being procured or improved to support current and future USAF air combat capabilities . Squadron personnel direct test project planning and execution , as well as data gathering , analyzing , and reporting for tests involving conventional and nuclear air munitions , avionics subsystems , chemical warfare defense , aircrew life support , chemical defense systems , munitions and avionics support equipment , weapon release systems , and automated mission planning systems . The IATF ' s primary objective is to improve the combat capability , reliability , and lethality of Air Force weapon systems through operationally realistic testing . Missions are performed through ground test , flight test , ground - based jammer testing , and various combinations of these techniques . The IATF ' s primary mission is to perform force development evaluations on the operational flight programs of the F - 15 Eagle and F - 16 Fighting Falcom fire control radar systems . This includes experimental changes to the OFPs as well as modifications to fielded OFPs . Additional responsibilities and capabilities include the following : Perform OFP OT & E and operational utility evaluations of F - 15 and F - 16 radars with the AIM - 120 AMRAAM , identify radar system maintenance deficiencies and develop work - around solutions . Support advanced EA and EP system development and evaluation . Provide resident Air Force technical expertise on ACC radar and missile systems . Support other electronic warfare projects from Air Force , Department of Defense and various external customers with technical assistance or specialized hardware History . Established in 1939 as the 28th Pursuit Squadron and activated on 1 February 1940 at Albrook Field , Panama Canal Zone . The squadron was formed from a collection of four officers and enlisted ranks drawn from Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron , 16th Pursuit Group , the 24th Pursuit Squadron , the 44th Reconnaissance Squadron , the 29th Pursuit Squadron , the 74th Bombardment Squadron and the 15th Base Headquarters and Air Base Squadron . Initially equipped with Boeing P - 26A Peashooter s , the mission of the squadron was air defense of the Panama Canal . This remained the squadron ' s mission throughout its existence in Sixth Air Force . After the Pearl Harbor Attack , was dispersed to Paitilla Point Field , Panama , and re - equipped with some Curtiss P - 40 Warhawk s . By March 1942 , was moved to La Joya # 2 Aerodrome in Panama where it remained until 2 May 1942 , only to return to Paitilla Point again in June . Was re - designated as the 28th Fighter Squadron on 15 May as part of a USAAF - wide renaming program . The unit then remained there until November , when it moved again to Chame Field , Panama . In November 1943 , the Squadron was assigned directly subordinate to the XXVI Fighter Command , and by December , the unit had been re - equipped with Bell P - 39Q Aircobra s . By February 1944 , the Squadron was maintaining a detachment at Pocri Field , Panama . In May 1945 , conversion to P - 38 Lightning s began , however , no sooner had conversion to the P - 38 ' s been completed than the unit was moved to Howard Field , where the entire complement of P - 38s was hangared and the unit activities ran down with the end of the war in Europe . The squadron ceased all flying activities in June , and the P - 38s were reassigned to other units in the command while personnel were returned to the United States for demobilization . By October 1945 , the squadron was reduced to a non - operational administrative organization . Inactivated on 15 October 1946 . During the Cold War , the squadron was reactivated by Tactical Air Command as the 28th Fighter - Bomber Squadron at Clovis AFB , New Mexico on 8 April 1953 and was programmed to receive F - 86F Sabre s . However , it was neither manned or equipped due to personnel and equipment shortages and was inactivated on 25 June . Re - activated as an Air Material Command test squadron at Eglin AFB , Florida in 1998 . Heraldry . A brown scorpion with light blue armor plate fastened to back by rivets , holding in the right claw and legs a large , medium blue aerial bomb , and in the left claw and legs a light blue and black aerial machine gun with black and white cartridge belt affixed thereto , draped over stinger on tail ( Approved 19 May 1945 ) .