During his second day in Holloman AFB , P.Y. Lecoeur had the opportunity to get up close to the 49 Maintenance Operation squadron .
The 49th Maintenance Operations Squadron is directly responsible for oversight of 49th Maintenance Group daily production, flying support and scheduled maintenance actions for assigned MQ-1, MQ-9 and F-22 aircraft, and administers safety, environmental. The squadron conducts armament load training and certification for Remotely Piloted Aircraft and fighter aircraft weapons load crews, and supports munitions saving of all transient aircraft. Additionally, the squadron provides quality assurance oversight of all group maintenance functions, and inspection support for squadron, group, and wing activities, and supports on-aircraft technical support through Air Force Engineering and Technical Services personnel. The squadron also provides administrative support for all maintenance contractor personnel in support of the F-22, MQ-1, MQ-9 and T-38 programs. The 49 MOS is comprised of 127 military/civilian personnel in 18 different career fields .
The T-38 Talon is a twin-engine, high-altitude, supersonic jet trainer used in a variety of roles because of its design, economy of operations, ease of maintenance, high performance and exceptional safety record. Air Education and Training Command is the primary user of the T-38 for joint specialized undergraduate pilot training. Air Combat Command, Air Force Materiel Command and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration also use the T-38A in various roles. The T-38C incorporates a “glass cockpit” with integrated avionics displays, head-up display and an electronic “no drop bomb” scoring system. The AT-38B has a gun sight and practice bomb dispenser The 46th Test Group is composed of the following organizations: Detachment 1, 746th Test Squadron, 846th Test Squadron, National RCS Test Facility, and 586th Flight test Squadron. The 46th Test Group is under the 46th Test Wing, Air Armament Center, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.
The 586th Flight Test SquadronThe 586th Flight Test Squadron (586 FLTS) performs flight tests of the most advanced aircraft systems in the world. The squadron has aircraft parking and administration facilities to provide a high level of security to its customers. It owns and operates two highly modified AT-38B aircraft equipped to support a wide variety of flight test operations. Capabilities of the squadron’s AT-38Bs include: chaff, flares, GPS navigation and precision data recording and telemetry, ECM, Air Combat Maneuvering Instrumentation (ACMI) pods, and multiple format photographic coverage (including helmet-mounted video cameras). The squadron owns and operates a highly modified C-12J (Beech 1900 Airliner) with multiple antenna and pod configurations for guidance/navigation, avionics, and electronics testing. The 586 FLTS has access to both full-scale and sub-scale unmanned aerial targets as well as one of the world’s most elaborate ground impact ranges. The 586th Flight Test Squadron is the world’s leading authority on overland firings of the Air Force’s primary medium range air-to-air missile (AMRAAM).
May we exprime our Thanks to All the personnel of this huge Base ; it will remain as a highly memorable Souvenir.
