| Unit Name: | 39th Flying Training Squadron |
| Dates: | 1940–1957; 1969–1974; 1977–1984; 1990–1991; 1993–1999; 2001–2007; 2007–present |
| Role: | Instructor Pilot Training |
| Command Structure: | Air Education and Training Command |
| Garrison: | Randolph Air Force Base |
| Battles: | Southwest Pacific Theater Korean War[1] |
| Notable Commanders: | Lt. Col. Thomas J. Lynch Brig Gen. Robert F. Titus |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 39th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 13 April 2009) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 39th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 16 April 1941) |
The 39th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the reserve associate to the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.
The squadron was first activated as the 39th Pursuit Squadron in the buildup of the United States Army Air Corps in response to the War in Europe. It moved to the Pacific Coast in response to the attack on Pearl Harbor and briefly flew antisubmarine patrols before deploying to the Southwest Pacific Theater, earning two Distinguished Unit Citations (DUC)s and a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its actions during the war.
The squadron remained in the Far East and as the 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was part of the air defenses of Japan when North Korea invaded South Korea. The 39th earned two more DUCs and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation during combat in Korea. Following the 1953 truce, the squadron returned to Japan, serving as an air defense unit until inactivating in December 1957.
The squadron was activated as the 39th Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron in 1969 when Tactical Air Command replaced its Command controlled (4 digit) units with Air Force controlled units. It trained Douglas B-66 Destroyer aircrews until inactivating in 1974.
The squadron has been a flying training unit since 1990, except for a brief stint as a test squadron.
It operates the Beechcraft T-6 Texan II, Raytheon T-1A Jayhawk and Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft conducting Pilot Instructor Training.
Activated by Northeast Air District (later First Air Force) as the 39th Pursuit Squadron, a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk pursuit squadron, at Selfridge Field, Michigan, where it was one of a number of units drawing its cadre from the 1st Pursuit Group, stationed there. The squadron moved to Baer Field, Indiana the day before the attack on Pearl Harbor, but was soon rushed to Bellingham Army Air Field, where it flew antisubmarine patrols off the coast of Washington until the middle of January 1942, when it was reassigned from the 31st Pursuit Group to the 35th Pursuit Group, which was preparing for deployment to Australia.[1]
Re-equipped with long-range Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and deployed to Fifth Air Force in Australia, June 1942. Engaged in combat operations against the Japanese in the Lightning, but became the second Pacific Theater fighter group to convert to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt in late 1943. Conducted combat operations in the Thunderbolt from late 1943 through Spring 1945. Participated in offensives in the Netherlands East Indies, New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago, Philippines and the Battle of Okinawa.
Re-equipped with North American P-51 Mustangs and moved to Japan as part of the army of occupation, September 1945, remaining as part of the Far East Air Forces air defense mission throughout the postwar era. Engaged in combat, June 1950, during the initial actions of the Korean War. Re-equipped with Lockheed F-80 Shooting Star jets, fighting air-to-air combat against communist aircraft and engaging in ground support missions supporting United Nations Forces, 1950–1953. Returned to Japan after the 1953 armistice and upgraded to the purpose-built Lockheed F-94 Starfire interceptor flying air defense missions.
The squadron moved to Johnson Air Base on 20 July 1954 and established temporary air defense detachments on the same day at Komaki Air Base,[2] Japan to 4 August 1954 and at Misawa Air Base, Japan to 27 August 1954.[1] The squadron was inactivated in December 1957.[1]
Reactivated by Tactical Air Command in 1969 at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, assuming the personnel and equipment of the 4417th Combat Crew Training Squadron. Equipped with reconnaissance and electronic warfare versions of the Douglas B-66 Destroyer and trained tactical reconnaissance and electronic warfare crews from, 1969–1974 when the B-66 was retired. Moved to George Air Force Base, California and equipped with McDonnell F-4E Phantom IIs. Trained Wild Weasel aircrews in surface to air missile suppression tactics from, 1977–1984. Inactivated when the F-4 was retired.
Reactivated by Air Training Command as an undergraduate pilot training squadron with Northrop T-38 Talons, 1990–1991. Transferred to Air Force Materiel Command, 1993 as a flight test squadron on various weapons systems from 1993 to 1999, then went back to Air Education and Training Command providing flying training from 2001 onwards.[1]
Activated on 1 February 1940
Redesignated 39th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Redesignated 39th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 27 October 1942
Redesignated 39th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 19 February 1944
Redesignated 39th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 20 January 1950
Inactivated on 8 December 1957
Organized on 15 October 1969
Redesignated 39th Tactical Electronic Warfare Training Squadron on 15 February 1970[3]
Inactivated on 15 March 1974
Activated on 1 July 1977
Redesignated 39th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 9 October 1980
Inactivated on 11 May 1984
Activated on 2 April 1990
Inactivated on 15 December 1991
Activated on 8 September 1993
Redesignated 39th Flight Test Squadron on 15 March 1994
Inactivated on 1 September 1999
Activated in the reserve on 2 April 2001[1]