46th TW GSU celebrates golden anniversary Published May 5, 2009 By Martha Whipple 746th Test Squadron HOLLOMAN AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. -- A tradition of testing of navigation systems and missile components began for the 746th Test Squadron in 1959 and continues as it reaches its golden anniversary in May. The 746th, part of the 46th Test Wing, has spent 50 years as a central facility for test and evaluation of inertial guidance and control equipment. Fifty years ago, the Air Force recognized an operational need for a testing facility. With assets like White Sands Missile Range and the high-speed test track, the Air Force selected Holloman Air Force Base, N.M., to take on this mission, and the Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility was born. With the advent of the Global Positioning System, the organization became the Central Inertial and GPS Test Facility and finally the 746th Test Squadron in 1994. "We are part of an organization that has a rich history in the test community," said Lt. Col. Amy McCain, 746th TS commander. "The folks here love the area, the small town atmosphere, and are world renowned for their expertise." Initially, the sole purpose of CIGTF was to test U.S. missiles and spacecraft guidance systems. It supported notable missions of developmental testing including the Titan, the Minuteman and the Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missile systems. Today, the squadron has expanded its focus on testing the most advanced GPS and inertial navigation systems in the world to support the warfighter's mission. "The squadron's mission makes a huge difference to the warfighter," said retired Lt. Col. Eric Lagier, former squadron commander from 2002-2004. "Not only did we impact major programs like the F-22 and the war efforts to topple Saddam Hussein, but we also support projects like the Hubble Space Telescope and the cutting edge hand-held GPS navigation units which are used by the special ops community. Everything we accomplish has a significant impact on the Air Force, Army, Navy, Special Forces and the warriors on the frontline." David Minto, the 46th Test Group technical director, elaborated on the true assets of the 746th TS. "CIGTF has always worked with the latest, cutting-edge technology," he said. "Yet, the people, past and present, are the true capability impacting the defense of our nation through test and evaluation. I look forward to seeing the navigation applications supported in the next 50 years. I'm certain that CIGTF's leadership and expertise will be crucial in development of future for guidance and navigation systems." The squadron evolved with technology and was the premier guidance and navigation testing facility for all of the Department of Defense, as well as customers like NASA, the Federal Aviation Administration, Boeing and Lockheed Martin. A major focus for the test squadron was GPS technology. By the turn of the century, DoD had integrated GPS into all aircraft and vehicles. The chief scientist for CIGTF, Robert Lawrence, noted that the, "GPS signal is very easily disrupted due to extremely low power levels and occlusions of the sky." In order to guarantee wartime navigation capability, the 746th TS employed navigation warfare techniques commonly known as jamming to test new and existing GPS equipment. Demands for jamming led the 746 TS to create a week of jamming tests called JAMFEST. For five days, engineers jam GPS equipment at White Sands Missile Range to simulate real world events. While GPS is at the forefront of navigation technology, inertial systems combined with GPS represents a mainstay of military navigation systems. Additionally, as emerging navigation technologies such as imaging, laser ranging and pseudolites make their way into military systems, the 746th TS stands ready to ensure precision navigation of all types and in all environments. For 50 years the squadron has tested navigation systems crucial to global missions, and they are poised for next 50.