461st Flight Test Squadron, US Air Force
461ST FLIGHT TEST SQUADRON, US AIR FORCE
History: Constituted as 361 Fighter Squadron on 8 December 1942. Activated on 12 December 1942. Redesignated 361 Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 20 September 1944. Inactivated on 11 November 1945. Consolidated (19 September 1985) with 461 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, which was constituted as 461 Fighter-Day Squadron on 30 December 1955. Activated on 8 February 1956. Redesignated 461 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 8 July 1958. Inactivated on 1 August 1959. Redesignated 461 Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 15 July 1976. Activated on 1 July 1977. Redesignated 461 Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991. Inactivated on 5 August 1994. Redesignated 461 Flight Test Squadron on 23 October 2006. Activated on 27 October 2006. Trained at bases in New England and New York until August 1943, when it moved to Britain aboard the Queen Elizabeth. From 15 October 1943-April 1945, conducted fighter sweeps and provided penetration, target and withdrawal cover for heavy bomber aircraft, escorting them to and from Nazi targets in northwestern Europe. During Market-Garden operations over Holland, supported cargo, gliders and bomber aircraft by furnishing air cover against enemy fighter aircraft and by attacking enemy ground positions. Received Distinguished Unit Citation (DUC) for operations over Holland on 17, 18 and 23 September 1944. In early 1945, squadron P-51 Mustangs clashed with German Me 262 jet aircraft. Between 1956-1959, conducted air superiority and general support missions as directed by Twelfth Air Force and, later, by United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). Also, maintained and trained forces for a limited fighter-bomber capability with basic air to air weapons. From 1977 through 1994, conducted fighter aircraft aircrew training for American and selected allied fighter pilots. Training program ended in August 1994. Tested aircraft systems, 2006-.
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Origin/meaning
The Emblem was approved on 27 August 1957; modified on 15 March 2007.
Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons
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