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Volume 62, Number 45 Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base, California May 22, 2015
www.edwards.af.mil – www.facebook.com/edwardsairforcebase
Speckled Trout lands new home in 418th FLTS
by Rebecca Amber Force at what you do.” 7KHWK)OLJKW7HVW6TXDGURQZDVLQDFWLYDWHGDIWHU\HDUVRIVHUYLFH0D\$VSHFLDOO\PRGL¿HG.&
Staff writer Unlike other KC-135 aerial re- aerial refueler, the “Speckled Trout” will now serve as air refueling support in the 418th Flight Test Squadron. Col.
Rod Todaro (center-left), 412th Operations Group commander, and Lt. Col. Michael Davis (center-right), 412th
Team Edwards said “good bye” fuelers, Project Speckled Trout FLTS commander, furl the 412th FLTS guidon signifying the deactivation of the squadron.
to the 412th Flight Test Squadron was established to provide senior
May 15 after 21 years of caring for leader transport for Air Force
the KC-135 dubbed the “Speckled Chief of Staff Gen. Thomas White
Trout.” In that time, the Trout has in 1957. His vice chief of staff,
supported the 412th Test Wing Gen. Curtis Lemay, ordered an
in avionics testing, distinguished “administrative” KC-135 to do the
visitor airlifting and air refueling job. Maintenance personnel named
support. the aircraft after the program coor-
dinator, Faye Trout. Noticing her
“Even before I ever took com- freckles, LeMay added “speck-
mand, when we weren’t on [distin- led” to the moniker. The Speckled
quished visitor] missions, we were Trout has large comfortable seats
supporting the test wing,” said Lt. and beds for DVs and a kitchen.
Col. Michael Davis, 412th FLTS
commander. “The Trout in its various forms
and squadrons has transported 15
Now, with the 412th FLTS in- chiefs of staff over the years ...
activation, the Trout has found a there have only been 20,” said
new home in the 418th Flight Test Todaro.
Squadron supporting the F-35 and
many other programs at Edwards. 7KH7URXWZDVSXWWRZRUNÀLJKW
According to Davis, the Trout will testing upgrades of avionics, navi-
be cared for by the 912th Mainte- gation and communications sys-
nance Squadron in its current con- tems between senior leader trans-
¿JXUDWLRQEHFDXVHGHPRGLI\LQJ ports. On Nov. 13, 1957, it became
would be cost prohibitive. the world record holder for world
course speed when LeMay flew
“It’s the only KC-135 on base 5,204 miles from Buenos Aires,
that’s receiver capable, so we’re Argentina, to Washington D.C., in
planning on using it as part of the 11 hours, 3 minutes, 57.38 seconds.
testing with the KC-46,” said Da-
vis. “As for this particular aircraft See FLTS, Page 4
tail number, it’s not going to be
doing the DV or really the avion- ire
ics testing anymore; it’s only go-
ing to be serving in test support Air Force photographs by Rebecca Amber
here at Edwards.”
After Senior Master Sgt. Tony Fretta took possession of the furled 412th Flight Test Squadron guidon, it will now be prepared to be sent to Maxwell Air
The 412th FLTS was activated )RUFH%DVH$ODZKHUHWKH$LU)RUFH+LVWRULFDO5HVHDUFK$JHQF\ZLOOWDNHRZQHUVKLSRIWKHXQLWÀDJ
Jan. 1, 1994. The squadron oc-
cupied a single hangar, had one
aircraft and 38 personnel. Col.
Rodney Todaro, 412th Operations
Group commander, shared during
the ceremony that leadership “ag-
onized” over the decision to shut
the squadron down.
“The 412th FLTS and the Trout
had a very important mission and
you and your team handled it with
professionalism and excellence,”
said Todaro.” Make no mistake,
you were all chosen for this unit
because you are the best in the Air
General Retiree Youth
volunteers
visits day
.... Page 11
.... Page 5 .... Page 8
Air Force Materiel Command director of logistics, Approximately 400 military retirees, their families Youth group volunteers at the Adopt-A-Pet on
Brig. Gen. Donald Kirkland, visits Edwards. and surviving spouses attend appreciation day. base.
