Lineage. Designated as 6517 Test Squadron, and activated, on 10 Mar 1989. Redesignated: 417 Test Squadron on 2 Oct 1992; 417 Flight Test Squadron on 1 Mar 1994. Inactivated on 1 Oct 1995. Activated on 16 Mar 2006. Inactivated on 30 Jun 2010. Activated on 24 Apr 2019.
Assignments. 6510 (later, 412) Test Wing, 10 Mar 1989; 412 Operations Group, 1 Oct 1993-1 Oct 1995. 412 Operations Group, 16 Mar 2006-30 Jun 2010. 96 Operations Group, 24 Apr 2019-.
Stations. Edwards AFB, CA, 10 Mar 1989-1 Oct 1995. Edwards AFB, CA, 16 Mar 2006-30 Jun 2010. Eglin AFB, FL, 24 Apr 2019-.
Commanders. Lt Col Robert L. Black, 10 Mar 1989; Lt Col George G. London Jr., 12 Nov 1992; Lt Col Barton E. Henwood, 3 Dec 1993-1 Oct 1995. Lt Col Barry St. Germain, 16 Mar 2006; Lt Col Michael R. Contratto, 15 May 2008-30 Jun 2010.
Aircraft. C-17, 1989-1995. YAL-1A, 2006-2010.
Operations. Flight testing of the C-17A, 1989-1995. Ground and flight testing of the YAL-1A (airborne laser aircraft), 2006-2010.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. None.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Air Force Outstanding Unit Award: 15 Sep 1991-15 Jul 1993; 1 Jan 2010-31 Dec 2011.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 14 Sep 2020.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through Jun 2010.
Supersedes statement prepared on 16 Mar 2006.
Emblem. Approved on 25 Jun 2007.
Prepared by Margaret Ream.