87th Flying Training Squadron explained

Unit Name:87th Flying Training Squadron
Dates:1917-1918; 1935-1936; 1942-1947; 1952-1955; 1956-1985; 1990 – present
Country:United States
Branch:United States Air Force
Role:Pilot Training
Command Structure:Air Education and Training Command
19th Air Force
47th Flying Training Wing
47th Operations Group
Garrison:Laughlin Air Force Base
Nickname:Skeeters (World War II)[1]
Motto:Vigilantia est Pax Latin Vigilance is Peace
Battles:World War II
Decorations:Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Identification Symbol Label:87th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 12 February 1969)
Identification Symbol 2 Label:87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem (approved 16 July 1956[3]
Identification Symbol 3 Label:87th Fighter Squadron emblem

The 87th Flying Training Squadron is part of the United States Air Force 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 18 August 1917 when it was organized at Selfridge Field, Mount Clemens, Michigan as a pilot training Squadron during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of Air Defense Command, later Aerospace Defense Command and finally Tactical Air Command during the Cold War.

History

World War I

It was activated as the 87th Aero Squadron. the 87th saw brief service in the 1910s and again in the 1930s.

World War II

It was reactivated in 1942 when it was transferred to North Africa to fight against Germany's Afrika Korps. Following the German defeat and withdrawal from North Africa the 87th participated in the Allied Invasion of Sicily and Invasion of Italy and subsequent drive up the Italian Peninsula. During the Allied offensive in Italy the squadron was briefly dispatched to support the invasion of Southern France in 1944. Following the war the 87th was stationed in Austria for a short time before its return to the United States and inactivation.[4]

Air Defense Command

The 87th was again activated at Sioux City Municipal Airport, Iowa in 1952 to provide air defense of the central United States. Equipped with the North American F-51D Mustang, it was later equipped with the North American F-86D Sabre in 1953 prior to being reassigned to USAFE, stationed at RAF Bentwaters, England in 1954 assisting in the air defense of the United Kingdom.[4]

It was returned to CONUS in 1956 at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Ohio with an air defense mission over the Ohio Valley. It was uas upgraded to the North American F-86L Sabre in 1957, an improved version of the F-86D which incorporated the Semi Automatic Ground Environment, or SAGE computer-controlled direction system for intercepts; upgraded again in 1960 to the supersonic Convair F-102 Delta Dagger interceptor.[4]

The 87th was re-equipped with new McDonnell F-101B Voodoo supersonic interceptor, and the F-101F operational and conversion trainer in 1960. The two-seat trainer version was equipped with dual controls, but carried the same armament as the F-101B and were fully combat-capable. On 22 October 1962, before President John F. Kennedy told Americans that missiles were in place in Cuba, the squadron dispersed one-third of its force, equipped with nuclear tipped missiles to Clinton County Air Force Base at the start of the Cuban Missile Crisis.[5] [6] These planes returned to Lockbourne after the crisis.

The F-101Bs were transferred to the Air National Guard in 1968 and the squadron moved to Duluth International Airport, Minnesota. At Duluth, was upgraded to the Convair F-106 Delta Darts. During this period the squadron became known for its ability to perform cold weather operations.

The squadron was again moved to K. I. Sawyer Air Force Base, Michigan in 1971. Inactivated in 1985 after budget cuts forced the cancellation of its scheduled conversion to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle.[4]

Flying training

The squadron was reactivated in 1990 and its mission changed to providing flight training. Today the squadron operates Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft providing training to pilot students on track to operate fighters or bombers.[4]

Lineage

87th Aero Squadron

Redesignated Squadron B, Park Field on 25 July 1918

87th Pursuit Squadron

87th Flying Training Squadron

Redesignated 87th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 January 1942

Redesignated 87th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 87th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 21 August 1944

Redesignated 87th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 September 1952

Redesignated 87th Flying Training Squadron on 9 Feb 1990

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
Citations

Bibliography

External links

Notes and References

  1. Watkins, pp.30-31
  2. Web site: Factsheet 87 Flying Training Squadron (AETC) . Bailey . Carl E. . 10 September 2008 . Air Force Historical Research Agency . 15 September 2017.
  3. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 299-300
  4. Web site: Laughlin AFB Library: Fact Sheet 87th Flying Training Squadron. 27 October 2014. 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20150927162347/http://www.laughlin.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=4798 . 27 September 2015. 15 September 2017.
  5. McMullen, pp. 10-12
  6. NORAD/CONAD Participation in the Cuban Missile Crisis, p. 16
  7. Lineage, including assignments, stations and aircraft in Bailey
  8. Per Bailey. However, the III Corps Observation Group was organized in France c. July 1918 and the 87th Aero Squadron never left the United States.
  9. Station information in Bailey, except as noted

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