50th Flying Training Squadron explained

Unit Name:	50th Flying Training Squadron
Dates:	1941-1944; 1947-1949; 1972-present
Role:	Undergraduate Pilot Training
Command Structure:	Air Education and Training Command
Current Commander:	Lt Col Gene Smith
Garrison:	Columbus Air Force Base
Nickname:	World Famous Strikin' Snakes
Battles:	European Theater of Operations^[1]
Decorations:	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Identification Symbol Label:	50th Flying Training Squadron emblem
Identification Symbol 2 Label:	50th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 1 April 1942)^[2]

The 50th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

Mission

Training Combat Pilots for America

The advanced phase of undergraduate pilot training is conducted by the 50th Flying Training Squadron. This phase consists of 110 hours of flight instruction in the Northrop T-38C. Training includes advanced aircraft handling, tactical navigation, fluid maneuvering and an increased emphasis in two- and four-ship formation. At the completion of training, the graduate is awarded the aeronautical rating of pilot.

History

World War II

The 50th flew patrols on the West Coast of the United States from February–June 1942 then provided air defense of Iceland from August 1942-February 1944. It was not operational between February 1944 and its inactivation in August 1944.

Air Force reserves

The squadron was active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949.

Flying training

The squadron has conducted undergraduate pilot training since, 1 June 1972.^[1]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 20 November 1940

Activated on 15 January 1941

Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 28 February 1944

Disbanded on 9 August 1944

• Reconstituted and redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (All Weather) on 23 May 1947

Activated in the reserve on 12 June 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated 50th Flying Training Squadron on 22 Mar 1972

Activated on 1 June 1972^[1]

Assignments

• 14th Pursuit Group (later 14th Fighter Group), 15 January 1941
• 342d Composite Group, 14 November 1942
• Eighth Air Force, February–9 Aug 1944 (attached to 8th Reconnaissance Group (Provisional) [later, 802d Reconnaissance Group (Provisional)])
• Second Air Force, 12 June 1947
• 381st Bombardment Group, 30 September 1947 – 27 June 1949
• 14th Flying Training Wing, 1 Jun 1972
• 14th Operations Group, 15 December 1991 – present^[1]

Stations

• Hamilton Field, California, 15 January 1941
• March Field, California, 10 June 1941
• Metropolitan Oakland Municipal Airport, California, 8 February 1942
• Hamilton Field, California, 9 May–16 July 1942
• RAF Atcham (Station 342),^[3] England, 18 August 1942 (operated from Meeks Field, Iceland)
• Meeks Field, Iceland, 14 November 1942

• RAF Nuthampstead (Station 131),^[3] England, Feb 1944
• RAF Cheddington (Station 113),^[3] England, c. 15 Mar 1944
• RAF Watton (Station 376),^[3] England, 12 April–9 August 1944
• Offutt Field (later Offutt Air Force Base), Nebraska, 12 June 1947 – 27 June 1949
• Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, 1 Jun 1972 – present)^[4]

Aircraft

• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1941–1942)
• Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1942–1944)
• North American AT-6 Texan (1947–1949)
• Northrop T-38A Talon (1972–2003)
• Northrop T-38C Talon (2002–Present)^[1]

See also

• 50 FTS Performing Atlanta Braves Opening Day Flyover

References

Bibliography

• Malayney, Norman, The 25th Bomb Group (Rcn) in World War II, 2011, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., ISBN 978-0-7643-3950-9, Section: 50th Fighter Squadron pp-22-30.

External links

• 50th Flying Training Squadron Website

Columbus AFB Public Site:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20071123064834/http://www.columbus.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5233

Notes and References

1. Web site: Factsheet 50 Flying Training Squadron (AETC). Robertson. Patsy. April 3, 2014. Air Force Historical Research Agency. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150927175857/http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=10257 . September 27, 2015. August 9, 2017.
2. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 215-216
3. Station number in Anderson.
4. Stations in Robertson, except as noted.