576th Flight Test Squadron
The 576th Flight Test Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to Air Force Global Strike Command. The 576th is stationed at Vandenberg Space Force Base, California. The unit was first established in January 1943 as the 576th Bombardment Squadron. After training with Consolidated B-24 Liberators in the United States, the squadron deployed to the European Theater of Operations, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. The squadron was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for its actions in an attack on Gotha, Germany in February 1944. Following V-E Day, the squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated. It was again active between September 1947 and November 1949 in the reserve, but does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped with tactical aircraft at this time.
| 576th Flight Test Squadron | |
|---|---|
576th Squadron LGM-30G Minuteman III test launch at Vandenberg SFB, California, 25 February 2012 | |
| Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1958–1966; 1991-present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Intercontinental ballistic missile testing |
| Part of | Air Force Global Strike Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Vandenberg SFB, California |
| Motto(s) | Ducimus (Latin for 'We Lead') (since 1959) |
| Engagements | European Theater of Operations |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
| Insignia | |
| 576th Flight Test Squadron emblem | |
| 576th Strategic Missile Squadron emblem | |
| World War II fuselage code | CI |
The squadron was redesignated the 576th Strategic Missile Squadron and activated with early model SM-65 Atlas missiles in April 1958. It continued to operate the Atlas until it was phased out and the squadron was inactivated in April 1966.
The squadron was activated in the missile test role in September 1991 as the 576th Test Squadron. It changed to its current designation in 1994, without a change in function.