47th Flying Training Wing
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| 47th Flying Training Wing | |
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 47th Flying Training Wing Insignia |
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| Active | July 28, 1947 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Pilot Training |
| Size | Wing |
| Part of | Air Education & Training Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Laughlin Air Force Base |
The 47th Flying Training Wing (47 FTW) is a United States Air Force pilot training wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, near Del Rio, Texas. It is one of five pilot training units in the Air Force's Air Education and Training Command.
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[edit] History
The 47 BW was established on 28 July 1947 at Biggs Field (later Biggs Air Force Base), Texas. The wing first became active on 15 August 1947. The wing moved to Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana in 1948 and began operations there on 19 November. It remained at Barksdale until 2 October 1949 when it was deactivated. During this time, the wing was equipped with Douglas A-26 Invader (later named B-26) and, in 1949, North American B-45 Tornado, bombers.
On 12 March 1951, the 47 BW was reactivated at at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, again with B-26 and B-45 bombers. After becoming proficent in the handling and use of nuclear weapons, moved to RAF Sculthorpe, United Kingdom where it began operations there on 1 June 1952. From 1954 to 1958, the wing also flew the reconnaissance version of the B-45 known as the RB-45. In 1958, the wing transitioned to the Douglas B-66 Destroyer bomber. In 1960, air-to-air refueling versions of the Boeing B-50 bomber known as the KB-50 were added to the wing.
On 22 June 1962 the wing was deactivated. It would remain in this status until its reactivation on 1 September 1972 as the 47th Flying Training Wing.
The 47 FTW was activated at Laughlin on 1 September 1972. Although its mission today is completely different from its ancestors, the 47 FTW traces its heritage to the 47th Bombardment Wing of the Cold War. The 47 FTW is authorized to display honors earned by the 47th Operations Group during World War.
[edit] Aircraft Flown
[edit] Unit Lineage
- 47th Bombardment Wing, Light, 28 July 1947 - 30 September 1955
- 47th Bombardment Wing, Tactical, 1 October 1955 - 22 June 1962
- 47th Flying Training Wing, 1 September 1972 - present
[edit] Components
[edit] Wings
- 392d Bombardment Wing, attached 27 June - 2 October 1949
[edit] Groups
- 47th Medical Group
- 47th Maintenance Directorate
- 47th Mission Support Group
- 47th Bombardment Group (later 47th Operations Group), 15 August 1947 - 2 October 1949 and 12 March 1951 - 8 February 1955
- 4400th Combat Crew Training Group, 12 March 1951 - 12 February 1952.
[edit] Squadrons
- 19th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 7 May 1954 - 1 December 1956
- 39th Flying Training Squadron, 2 April 1990 - 15 December 1991
- 84th Bombardment Squadron, 17 November 1952 - 22 June 1962
- 84th Flying Training Squadron, 2 April 1990 - 15 December 1991
- 85th Bombardment Squadron (later 85th Flying Training Squadron), 17 November 1952 - 22 June 1962
- 86th Bombardment Squadron (later 86th Flying Training Squadron), 23 March 1954 - 22 June 1962
- 87th Flying Training Squadron, 2 April 1990 - 15 December 1991
- 420th Air Refueling Squadron, 5 March 1960 - 22 June 1962
- 422d Bombardment Squadron, 20 December 1953 - 23 March 1954
