82nd Aerial Targets Squadron

82nd Aerial Targets Squadron
One of the squadron's QF-16s over the Gulf of Mexico, 2013
Active	1942–1945; 1946–1971; 1981–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Aerial target operation
Part of	Air Combat Command United States Air Force Warfare Center 53rd Wing 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group
Garrison/HQ	Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida
Aircraft	QF-16 Fighting Falcon E-9A Widget
Engagements	European Theater of Operations[1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7x) Air Force Organizational Excellence Award[1]
Insignia
82nd Aerial Targets Squadron emblem[1] (modified c. 1995)
82nd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem (approved 15 March 1951)[2]

The 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 53rd Weapons Evaluation Group and stationed at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida.

The squadron was first activated as the 82nd Pursuit Squadron in 1942. Flying Lockheed P-38 Lightnings, the squadron saw combat as the 82nd Fighter Squadron during World War II in the European Theater of Operations, earning a pair of Distinguished Unit Citations for its actions in combat.

Inactivated after the war, the squadron was activated for the air defense, first in the United States, then on Okinawa. It was inactivated in 1972, but activated again the following year as the 82nd Flying Training Squadron and trained pilots for the Air Force for the next four years. It was activated in its most recent role in 1981.