514th Flight Test Squadron

514th Flight Test Squadron
A 514th Flight Test Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcon takes off from Hill Air Force Base Dec. 15 2010
Active	1942–1946; 1947–1951; 1951–1965 1970–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Flight Testing
Part of	Air Force Materiel Command
Garrison/HQ	Hill Air Force Base, Utah
Motto(s)	Quaerite Optimum Latin Seek the Optimum Go, We Pave the Way (1957-1965)
Engagements	World War II Korean War
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
514th Flight Test Squadron emblem (approved 18 April 1990)
Patch with 514th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 26 March 57) 620
514th Bombardment Squadron emblem (World War II)
Aircraft flown
Fighter	F-16 Fighting Falcon
Transport	C-130 Hercules

The 514th Flight Test Squadron (514 FLTS) is a United States Air Force squadron. It is assigned to the Ogden Air Logistics Center (OO-ALC), Air Force Materiel Command, stationed at Hill Air Force Base, Utah.

The 514th FLTS' current mission is to accomplish high-risk acceptance flights on F-16 Fighting Falcon, A-10 Thunderbolt II and C-130 Hercules aircraft following depot level maintenance. 514th FLTS aircrews provide the final quality control checks to ensure aircraft are airworthy and capable of returning to combat units. As the OO-ALC Center Test Authority, the 514th FLTS is the focal point for managing and providing test process expertise and support for all test and evaluation at the OO-ALC.

Established in the Middle East during late 1942 to aid British Forces during the Western Desert Campaign. Initially equipped with obsolete B-17C/D Flying Fortresses transferred from Tenth Air Force. Replaced with B-24 Liberators flown from Florida via South America; over to then across Central Africa then north to Egypt in early 1943. Became part of United States Middle East Air Forces (USMEAF), later Ninth Air Force.

Operating from bases in British Palestine, Egypt, Libya and Tunisia, attacked shipping in the Mediterranean and harbor installations in Libya, Tunisia, Sicily, and Italy to cut enemy supply lines to North Africa. Struck airdromes, marshalling yards, and other objectives in Sicily and Italy after the fall of Tunisia in May 1943. Reassigned to Fifteenth Air Force in late 1943, and moved to southern Italy. Squadron flew long range strategic bombardment missions to targets in Italy, France, Germany, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, and the Balkans to bomb factories, marshalling yards, oil refineries, oil storage facilities, airdromes, bridges, harbors, and other objectives.