| Unit Name: | 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron |
| Dates: | 1942–1944; 1944–1945; 1961–1969; 1976–present |
| Role: | Airborne Command and Control |
| Command Structure: | Air Combat Command |
| Current Commander: | Lt Col Asif Kausar |
| Garrison: | Tinker Air Force Base |
| Motto: | Protection by Professionals (1963-1989)Sweat more... Bleed Less (2013-present) |
| Battles: | China-Burma-India Theater[1] |
| Decorations: | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm |
| Identification Symbol Label: | 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron emblem (approved 14 May 1989) |
| Identification Symbol 2 Label: | 966th Airborne Early Warning & Control Squadron emblem (approved 14 June 1963) |
The 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit is assigned to the 552d Training Group, 552d Air Control Wing at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the E-3 Sentry (AWACS) aircraft conducting airborne command and control missions.
The squadron is the E-3 Sentry formal training unit (FTU) for all Airborne Warning and Control System aircrew and currently falls under the authority of Air Combat Command and Fifteenth Air Force.[2] [3]
The 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron is Air Combat Command's largest flying training unit, providing training for all active and reserve E-3 Sentry pilots and mission crew. Training approximately 500 students every year.[4]
Provide the Combat Air Force with airborne systems and personnel for surveillance, warning and control of strategic, tactical, and special mission forces.[5]
The squadron conducted replacement training from August 1942 – November 1943 and flew evacuation missions and light transport services for ground forces in Burma from 13 November 1944 – 10 May 1945.[1]
It provided airborne radar surveillance from 1962 to 1969 and rotated aircrews to Southeast Asia from c. 4 April 1965 – c. December 1969. The 966th has trained aircrews since 1977.[1]
Activated on 15 July 1942
Inactivated on 1 April 1944
Consolidated with the 166th Liaison Squadron and the 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron as the 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[1]
Activated on 3 September 1944
Inactivated on 3 November 1945
Consolidated with the 466th Bombardment Squadron and the 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron as the 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron on 19 September 1985[1]
966th Airborne Early Warning and Control Squadron
Organized on 1 February 1962
Inactivated on 31 December 1969
Redesignated 966th Airborne Warning and Control Training Squadron on 5 May 1976
Activated on 1 July 1976966th Airborne Air Control Squadron
Redesignated 966th Airborne Air Control Squadron on 1 July 1994[1]