Edwards AFB

The 412th Flight Test Squadron is a selectively-staffed Air Force squadron responsible for research, development, test and evaluation of global communications systems and worldwide executive airlift for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force & Chief of Staff of the Air Force. The squadron operates and maintains a high... ly-modified KC-135 aircraft for flight test and Air Force Test Center refueling qualification and support. Members of the combined operations and maintenance team conduct research, evaluation & reporting on advanced avionics and airborne communication systems. 412 FLTS was activated on 28 January 1994 at Edwards AFB, CA after relocation from Detachment 1, 4950th Test Wing at Andrews AFB, MD in November 1992. Project SPECKLED TROUT was founded in 1957 by then Vice Chief of Staff General Curtis E. LeMay (CSAF 1961-1965) with K/VC-135A S/N55-3126, which was utilized through 1975. Successor aircraft have been C-135C S/N61-2669 (1975-2006), KC-135E S/N57-2589 (2003-2007), and KC-135R S/N63-7980 (2007-Present). The name Speckled Trout applies to both the organization and the aircraft. The name was chosen in honor of an early program monitor, Faye Trout, who assisted in numerous phases of the project. The word "speckled" was added because Trout apparently had "a lot of freckles."Read More