Patch of the 82d Aerial Targets Squadron

The 82d Aerial Target Squadron is located at Tyndall AFB. This squadron is the only unit left in the USAF to fly the F-4 Phantom II, although they are QF-4C/E/G versions in the role of aerial targets. The 82 ATS has a Detachment at Holloman AFB to fly QF-4s in support of DoD testing in the White Sands Missile Range Complex Tyndall Air Force Base is a base of the United States Air Force in Bay County, Florida, United States. ... The U.S. Air Force redirects here, for the official song, see The U.S. Air Force (song) The United States Air Force (USAF) is the aerospace branch of the United States armed forces and one of the seven uniformed services. ... The McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II[2] was a two-seat supersonic long-range all-weather fighter-bomber produced for the United States military by McDonnell Douglas. ... Holloman AFB is an Air Force base located in Otero County, New Mexico. ... White Sands Missile Range (WSMR), formerly known as the White Sands Proving Grounds, is located in a valley between the Organ Mountains and the Sacramento Mountains of New Mexico. ...

The squadron also maintains three 120-foot drone recovery vessels and two smaller vessels to recover aerial targets and support range safety, patrol, and salvage operations. Squadron members also operate the Air Force’s only two E-9A Widget.

This squadron was originally designated the 82d Fighter Squadron, and as part of the 78th Fighter Group was stationed in the United Kingdom during World War II. Combatants Major Allied powers: United Kingdom Soviet Union United States Republic of China and others Major Axis powers: Nazi Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Harry Truman Chiang Kai-Shek Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tojo Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead...

At some point after WWII the squadron was redesignated the 82d Tactical Aerial Target Squadron.

On 1 July 1981 the 82d Tactical Aerial Target Squadron was assigned to the 325th Fighter Weapons Wing. On 15 October 1983 the 82d Tactical Aerial Target Squadron was transferred to the 475th Weapons Evaluation Group . It is now part of the 53d Weapons Evaluation Group. July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ...