| Unit Name: | 435th Fighter Training Squadron |
| Dates: | 1943–1945; 1952–1974; 1977–1991; 1993–1997; 1998–present |
| Role: | Fighter Pilot Training |
| Command Structure: | Air Education and Training Command |
| Current Commander: | Lt Col John "HoBS" Matchett |
| Garrison: | Randolph Air Force Base |
| Nickname: | Deadly Black Eagles |
| Motto: | Establish Dominance |
| Battles: | European Theater of Operations, Vietnam War[1] |
| Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award French Croix de Guerre with Palm Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 435th Fighter Training Squadron emblem (approved 20 March 1945) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 435th Fighter Sq emblem (approved 25 February 1944)[2] |
The 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Northrop AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.
The 435 FTS conducts initial instructor and student flying training for over 130 U.S. Air Force and international pilots and Weapon System Operators annually in Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals. The squadron develops students' proficiency, confidence, discipline, judgment, and situational awareness of basic fighter employment. Additionally, the squadron deploys to support fighter syllabus/operational training requirements for Dissimilar Air Combat Training.[3]
The 435th flew air defense prior to overseas duty then flew combat in the European Theater of Operations from, 26 May 1944 – 25 April 1945.
A detachment operated under the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing detachment at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 5 Jun-c. 23 July 1966 It conducted air defense in Southeast Asia from, 12 October-20 December 1965 and combat sorties from, July 1966-15 August 1973.
The squadron trained fighter pilots and weapon systems officers between January 1977 and February 1991. It conducted training for Taiwan Air Force pilots from, May 1993-c. 31 December 1995 and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training for international students from, 1998–2004.[1]
Activated on 15 October 1943
Redesignated 435th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 5 September 1944
Inactivated on 15 December 1945
Activated on 1 December 1952
Redesignated 435th Fighter-Day Squadron on 15 February 1954
Redesignated 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958
Inactivated 8 August 1974
Activated on 1 January 1977
Inactivated on 19 February 1991
Activated on 12 May 1993
Inactivated on 1 April 1997
Activated on 14 May 1998
Attached to Air Proving Ground Command, 26 July–6 September 1955)
Attached to
16th Air Force, 7 December 1960 – c. 15 April 1961
86th Air Division, 19 September 1961 – 22 January 1962, 17 October–c. 30 November 1962
65th Air Division, 15 December 1960 – 14 April 1961, 3 August–17 October 1962, 30 November–19 December 1962, 30 March–23 June 1964
2d Air Division, 12 October–20 December 1965
Deployed to:
Naval Air Station Keflavik, 1 December 1952 – 27 March 1953
North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina, 26 July–6 September 1955
Morón Air Base, Spain, 7 December 1960–c. 15 April 1961, 3 August–17 October 1962, c. 30 November–19 December 1962, 30 March–23 June 1964
Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 19 September 1961 – 22 January 1962
Hahn Air Base, Germany, 17 October–c. 30 November 1962
Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam and Kung Kuan Air Base, Taiwan, 12 October–20 December 1965