<item><hi format=bold>Tenant Units:</hi> <hot id=46tg00u0vmn>46th Test Group</hot>—AT-38B (AFMC); Det 1 475th WEG—<hot id=qf106002vmn>QF-106A/B</hot> (ACC)
<item><hi format=bold>Location and Origin of Name:</hi> eight miles southwest of Alamogordo, and named after Colonel George V. Holloman, inventor and guided missile pioneer, who was killed in a B-17 crash on Formosa on 19 March 1946
</list>
<p>The base was known as Alamogordo Bombing and Gunnery Range when it opened in 1942 and was renamed Holloman AFB in January 1948. It was employed as a training site for bomber crews during World War II. In 1947 Air Material Command took over the base from SAC, moved the AAF guided missile program from Wendover and established the New Mexico Joint Guided Missile Range. A Snark missile-launching facility was opened in 1950. White Sands and Holloman Proving Ground Ranges were merged in 1952, with the Holloman Air Development Center established shortly afterwards. The 3225th Drone Squadron was assigned from 1953 until 1963 with a number of drone launch aircraft including the GB-26 and later the GC-130A. A 35,000-ft test track for missile guidance system testing was completed in 1959. The base was administered by Air Research and Development Command (later AFSC) until 1971 when it was transferred to TAC. The 366th TFW moved from France in July 1963 with the F-84F, but converted to the F-4C before transferring to Phan Rang AB, South Vietnam. The 49th TFW relocated to Holloman AFB from Spangdahlem AB, Germany in July 1968. Numerous test units were established over the years for various periods of duty, with the 6585th Test Group formed in August 1970 and currently in residence, operating unmanned drone aircraft such as the QF-86H, QF-100 and QF-106 as targets for Army and Air Force missile tests. The lead-in fighter training (LIFT) role was established in August 1973 with T-38As of the 465th TFTS. The role was expanded greatly from January 1977 with the formation of 479th TTW and three additional squadrons of Talons fitted with a gunsight and practice bomb dispensers as AT-38Bs. However, the reduction in requirement forced a major cutback to just one squadron during 1990/91. The 49th FW commenced re-equipping with the F-117A from April 1992 when aircraft were transferred from the 37th FW at Tonopah TR. The 49th FW assumed responsibility for the German air force Phantom training when the unit transferred from George AFB during 1992.
