THE MISSION OF THIS WEB SITE IS:
To preserve the heritage of this special military organization and its members
To recognize outstanding members and their contributions
To keep members informed
To encourage reunions and contacts between members
“CATCH  A  FALLING  STAR”
The 6594 Test Group operated from Hickam Air Force Base for twenty-seven years (1958-1986) retrieving film capsules in support of the “Corona” and follow on Spy Satellite Programs. Historians consider the “Corona” Program’s mission successes to be equivalent in Aerospace significance to the Wright Brothers and First Flight, or Yeager Breaking the Sound Barrier
The “Corona” Program accomplished the following firsts:
1) First return of an object placed in Earth’s orbit.
2) First pictures of Earth from space.
3) First space program with more than one return capsule.
4) First space program to reach 100 missions (145 Total).

AL BLANKENSHIP
9-Dec-09
 
 
Save the Date                                                                                                                                                                             Save the Date


6594th Test Group / 6593rd Test Squadron
Falling Star Reunion – 63-Year Anniversary

Dates November 2 through November 5, 2023


• Thursday, 11/2/23 ……..Registration and Evening Cocktail Reception at TBD
• Friday, 11/3/23 ............. Tennis / Pickleball Tournament
• Friday, 11/3/23 ............. Golf Tournament 
• Friday, 11/3/23...……….Spouse tours at TBD locations
• Saturday, 11/4/23 …..... Reception and Dinner at TBD w/Gary Powers Jr. as our speaker
                                                   (An NRO representative has also been invited)
• Sunday, 11/5/23 .......... Farewell Brunch at TBD

Further details (time, place, cost, etc.) will be relayed as events are finalized.
Lodging After November 2, 2022, hotel reservations can be made through the Hale Koa Hotel website at www.HaleKoa.com or by calling 1-800-367-6027 or 1-808-955-0555.  Accommodations at the Bellows Air Force Station cabins can be made through their website at www.Bellowsafs.com or by calling 1-800-437-2607 or 1-808-259-8080.




October 31, 2022

Aloha,

For those who have already decided to attend or are just now making that decision, this is a reminder to make your hotel reservations starting November 2!  

If you are just now making the decision to attend, please notify me by either sending me an email (michael_dauth@msn.com) or by texting me at 410-562-8971.   

In addition, I am attaching a list of the current members as best we know, so if you notice anyone missing, please send me their names and any contact info you may have.  If you have any updates to your contact information, please send them to me also.

We will forward additional information as details are finalized for the November 2023 events.  


Mahalo,

Program Committee Members
Glen Apgar                    Bill “Yogi” Bear                   Randy Chang                Mike Dauth
Kevin Garcia                 Don Hard                           Denny Laws                  Gerry Mansell
Jerry Razer                    David “DT” Thompson      Jim Yuki
6593testgroupsolid_JPG.jpg

C-3/E.Cox/ado/T 14 Jul 61
Ltr, 6593 Test Sq (Special) (TTA), 6 Sep 60, Sq Insignia
Hq USAF, Washington 25, D.C.                  JUL 14 1961
TO: AFSC (SCPS)

1.  In accordance with AFR 900-3, 5 November 1959, the following emblem is approved for the 6593d Test Squadron (Special):

Description:  On a white rectangle bordered red, an Air Force golden yellow lightning flash bendwise throughout, pointed upward, edged red, surmounted by an Air Force blue falcon in flight, beak and talons Air Force golden yellow, outlines Air Force blue, details and markings while, his talons grasping a red parachute dropping to base.

Significance: The emblem is symbolic of the squadron and its mission against a lightning streak representing the speed and accuracy of the unit’s test operations, a falcon (representing the sharp mind and keen sight required by crew members and the flying skill exhibited by the pilots) is displayed in flight grasping a parachute (symbolizing the ability of the aircraft to retrieve  a parachuting satellite from celestial regions).  Because the falcon is known for its fierce determination to follow through on anything it undertakes, it represents the spirit of the squadron to succeed at the most unusual aerial recovery in modern aviation history.  The emblem bears the Air Force colors, ultramarine blue and golden yellow, and the nation colors, red, white and blue.

2.   Attached is the official painting of the emblem described above, to be forwarded to the unit for file and guidance in reproduction.

ORGANIZATIONAL EMBLEM:   6594TH TEST GROUP

SIGNIFICANCE:  The golden falcon’s wings stand for the 6594th Test group.  They are joined “in lure” in reference to the units mission of recovering components ejected from space vehicles in orbit.  The term “in lure” is derived from the training of the falcons. The “lure”, two wings conjoined, is attached to a cord and thrown into the air to attract and recall the birds in flight.  The blazing star descending from the upper part of the shield represents a space vehicle returning from orbit.  It also stands for Air Force star denoting that the group holds the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.  The gold arches in the lower part of the shield represent radar emanations.  They refer to the organizations mission of developing capabilities to track space satellites.  Ultramarine blue and golden yellow stand for the Air Force.

BLAZON:  Per pale azure (ultramarine) and azure (celestial) and per bend counterchanged, issuing from dexter chief a blazing descending bendwise the horizontal points forming two wings displayed and inverted argent and trailed ov six of the last and gules, in sinister base four barrulets bendwise arched and couped or all between two pairs of hawk’s wings conjoined in lure elevated of the last within a diminished border gold.

MOTTO:   Catch A Falling Star