86th Fighter Weapons Squadron

The United States Air Force's 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron conducts the Air Force air-to-ground weapon system evaluation program. The 86th evaluates the total air-to-ground precision guided munitions process including weapon buildup, weapon loading, aircraft, aircrew employment procedures, support equipment, technical data and maintenance actions. The squadron hosts active and guard WSEP deployments annually at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida and Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The annual launching of 450-plus PGMs evaluates the Air Force's air-to-ground precision capabilities and also provides full-scale precision guided munitions (PGM) employment training for combat Air Force crews as a secondary objective. The weapons currently evaluated include the AGM-130, EGBU-15, GBU-10 Paveway II, GBU-12 Paveway II, GBU-24 Paveway III, GBU-27 Paveway III, GBU-28, Joint Direct Attack Munition (GBU-31), AGM-65 Maverick, AGM-86 CALCM, AGM-154 Joint Standoff Weapon, AGM-88 High Speed Antiradiation Missile, and the Wind Corrected Munitions Dispenser.[2]

86th Fighter Weapons Squadron
86th Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon[note 1]
Active	1985–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Air to ground weapons evaluation
Part of	Air Combat Command
Garrison/HQ	Hill AFB, Utah
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Insignia
86th Fighter Weapons Squadron emblem

"Squadron personnel verify weapon system performance, determine reliability, evaluate capability and limitations, identify deficiencies, recommend corrective action, and maintain [Combat Air Force]-wide data.The squadron investigates PGM envelopes and evaluates capabilities and limitations to determine future employment requirements. They provide liaison support for pre-deployment, employment, and redeployment of Air Combat Command, United States Air Forces in Europe, Pacific Air Forces, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve assets participating in WSEP."[2]

The squadron also conducts investigative firings of PGM to address CAF employment issues and to support developmental and operation test and evaluation.

Lineage

• Designated as the 4486th Fighter Weapons Squadron

Activated on 1 October 1985

Redesignated 86th Fighter Weapons Squadron on 1 December 1991

Assignments

• USAF Tactical Air Warfare Center, 1 October 1985[3]
• 4443d Test and Evaluation Group, 1 August 1988
• 79th Test and Evaluation Group, 1 December 1991
• 53d Weapons Evaluation Group, 23 August 1999 – present[4]

Stations

• Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, 1 October 1985
• Hill Air Force Base, Utah, unknown – present[5]

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

1. Aircraft is General Dynamics F-16CJ Block 50 Fighting Falcon, serial 00-225

Citations

1. "Air Force Personnel Services: Unit Awards". Air Force Personnel Center. Retrieved 9 January 2021. (search)
2. Pike, John (7 May 2011). "86th Fighter Weapons Squadron (86 FWS)". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
3. Stephens, Maj Tonia (25 May 2017). "Factsheet 53 Wing (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
4. Robertson, Patsy (24 February 2009). "Factsheet 53 Weapons Evaluation Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 9 January 2021.
5. No byline. "About Us: 53 Wing Units and Stations". 96th Air Base Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 9 January 2021.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.