USAF Patch Test Weapons 49 Test Squadron Barksdale AFB OTE

USAF Patch 49 Test Squadron Operational Test and Evaluation OT&E Strategic Airborne Weapons Barksdale AFB 1986 Fully Embroidered cut edge 85mm by 77mm three and five sixteenth inches by three and one sixteenth inches.

Free Shipping

49 Bombardment Squadron Very Heavy was activated on 1 July 1947 at Andrews Field moved to Davis Monthan Field and equipped with B 29 Superfortress bombers as part of Strategic Air Commands SAC long range strike force. The Squadron was redesignated 49 Bombardment Squadron Medium on 28 May 1948 and its first deployment was to RAF Lakenheath England from 9 August to 16 November 1948. On returning to the US the Squadron relocated to Chatham AFB Georgia and added B 50 Superfortress bombers to its fleet before moving to Hunter AFB in September 1950. Deployments to RAF Mildenhall and RAF Upper Heyford in support of NATO exercises and RAF bombing competitions.

49 BSM reequipped with B 47 Stratojet bombers in February achieving combat ready status and began alert missions and deployments to Europe and North Africa abroad including Sidi Slimane AB and Nouasseur AB Morocco RAF Brize Norton England and three different bases in Spain. The alert commitment at home was discontinued with the increase of deployments abroad although the Squadron returned home to perform alert duties during the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962 before moving to Barksdale AFB. 49 Bombardment Squadron Medium was inactivated on 1 April 1963.

The Squadron was reactivated on 1 July 1986 as 49 Test Squadron at Barksdale AFB on the redesignation of 4201 Test Squadron assuming its personnel and equipment to conduct Operational Test and Evaluation OT&E of strategic airborne weapon systems. The Squadron was redesignated 49 Test and Evaluation Squadron on 1 July 1992.

This patch dates from 1986.