30 June 1961 - The Black Vault

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Chapter 5
DIRECTORATE OF FLIGHT TEST
The Directorate of Flight Test evolved from the 2759th
E~perimental ~Hng and 3077th Experimental Group which condue ted
flight test1ng at Edwards AFB for A1r Hater1el Command pr10r to
2 Apr1l 1951. On the latter date, Ed'/Iards APB was transferred to
I the newly created A1r Research and Development Conunand. 1 N1ne
days ,later, on ID Apr!l 1951, the commander of Edwards AFB~
Brigad1er General Albert Boyd, USAF. established a Base D1rectorate,
Experimental Flight Test and Englneering 2 and named Colonel Fred J.
Ascahi, USAF, as its chief.
As we have seen in Chapter 1, Air Research and Development
Command establlshedthe A1r-Force Flight Test Ce!1ter (AFFTC) on
25 June 1951.3' In the same General Order, 4 the 2759th Exper1 ­
mental Wing and 3077th Exper imental Group \-:ere discontinued and
their personnel and 'equipment absorbed by the AFFTC and a new unit.
the 6Sl0th Air Base Wing.
Also, the Base D1rectorate. Experimental
Flight Test and Engineering was discont1nued and the Flight Test
ana. Development D;1.vision Ha6 established.
Colonel J. S. Holtoner, USAF, assumed command of the (\F'FTC
on 18 February 1952 replacing, Genera.l Eoyd.
Colonel Holtoner
appo1nted Colonel Aseani Deputy Chief of Staff fo,r Operations on
1 January 1953 and named Lieu.tenant Colonel Walter L. l"lOore, USlw.t;'J
chief of t he Flight Teat and Development Division. 5 The Flight
1. Hq A~,:C GO 23, 30 Mar 1951 .
2. Hq EAFB Organi za t ional D1rec t1ve 20- 1 600.1 J 16 Apr 1951.
3. Page 6, th1s hlet ory.
I H£l AR OC GO 15J 22 jurl 1951 .
5. Jiq lPF1'C GO 8, 31 Dec 1952.