Speckled Trout lands new home in 418th FLTS

  • Published
  • By Rebecca Amber
  • Staff writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Team Edwards said 'good bye' to the 412th Flight Test Squadron May 15, after 21 years of caring for the KC-135 dubbed the "Speckled Trout." In that time, the trout has supported the 412th Test Wing in avionics testing, distinguished visitor airlifting and air refueling support.

"Even before I ever took command, when we weren't on [distinquished visitor] missions, we were supporting the test wing," said Lt. Col. Michael Davis, 412th FLTS commander.

Now, with the 412th FLTS inactivation, the Trout has found a new home in the 418th Flight Test Squadron supporting the F-35 and many other programs at Edwards. According to Davis, the Trout will be cared for by the 912th Maintenance Squadron in its current configuration because de-modifying would be cost prohibitive.

"It's the only KC-135 on base that's receiver capable, so we're planning on using it as part of the testing with the KC-46," said Davis. "As for this particular aircraft tail number, it's not going to be doing the DV or really the avionics testing anymore; it's only going to be serving in test support here at Edwards."

The 412th FLTS was activated Jan. 1, 1994. The squadron occupied a single hangar, had one aircraft and 38 personnel. Col. Rodney Todaro, 412th Operations Group commander, shared during the ceremony that leadership "agonized" 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 Force at what you do."

Unlike other KC-135 aerial refuelers, Project Speckled Trout was established to provide senior leader transport for Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Thomas White in 1957. His vice chief of staff, Gen. Curtis Lemay, ordered an "administrative" KC-135 to do the job. Maintenance personnel named the aircraft after the program coordinator, Faye Trout. Noticing her freckles, LeMay added "speckled" to the moniker. The Speckled Trout has large comfortable seats and beds for DVs and a kitchen.

"The Trout in its various forms and squadrons has transported 15 chiefs of staff over the years ...there have only been 20," said Todaro.

The Trout was put to work flight testing upgrades of avionics, navigation and communications systems between senior leader transports. On Nov. 13, 1957, it became the world record holder for world course speed when LeMay flew 5,204 miles from Buenos Aires, Argentina to Washington D.C. in 11 hours, 3 minutes, 57.38 seconds.

In 1976 the unit was transferred from Headquarters Command to Air Force Systems Command at Andrews Air Force Base, Virginia, and organized as Detachment 1 of the 4950th Test Wing. In 1992 the unit was transferred to Edwards AFB and initial plans were to integrate the trout into the 452nd Flight Test Squadron.

Gen. Merrill McPeak, chief of staff of the Air Force, made the decision to make the unit into its own squadron, the 412th FLTS, and even designed the unit patch on a napkin during one of his official trips.

The inactivation ceremony culminated 58 years of service to Air Force chiefs of staff for the Speckled Trout.

After the ceremony, guests were invited to tour the inside of the KC-135. Fritz Baker, a contractor who worked on a Speckled Trout from 1987 to 1996, walked through with Senior Master Sgt. Tony Fretta.

"[The ceremony] brought a tear to my eye because I'm attached to the Trout," said Baker. "I found that the people working on the aircraft were amongst the best people that I ever ran into; they were absolutely superb, dedicated like you wouldn't believe and I'm sure it's still the same way."

The squadron's final commander would agree with Baker.

"The biggest thing really is the people," said Davis. "The plane is neat and it's cool to look at and I love flying it, I love flying on it, but it's the people of this unit that are absolutely incredible."