469th Flying Training Squadron [1] | |
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469th Flying Training Squadron Patch |
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Active | 9 July 1942 - 1 April 1944 10 October 1952 - 8 January 1958 13 April 1962 - 31 October 1972 10 April 2009 -present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Flight Training |
Part of | Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force 80th Flying Training Wing 80th Operations Group |
Garrison/HQ | Sheppard Air Force Base |
The 469th Flying Training Squadron (469 FTS) is part of the 80th Flying Training Wing and is based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.
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Established as a B-24 Liberator heavy bomb squadron in 1942. Mission was as an Operational Training Unit (OTU) under Second Air Force training B-24 replacement pilots and aircrew. Inactivated in 1944 when B-24 Liberator crew training was ended.
Reactivated in 1952 as an Air Defense Command Fighter-Interceptor squadron during the Korean War. Squadron initially absorbed personnel, aircraft and equipment of several National Guard fighter-interceptor squadrons when they were relieved from active federal service. Provided Air Defense over Eastern Tennessee, specifically over the Atomic Energy Commission Oak Ridge facilities and numerous Aluminum production facilities in the Knoxville area. Converted to F-86s in 1953 and was operationally ready by July 1953. Utilized all major modifications of the F-86, including the "L" model. Participated in numerous actual and simulated exercises to test alert status and combat readiness until inactivation in 1958.
Activated again in 1962 as a Tactical Air Command fighter squadron at George AFB, California. Equipped with F-105 Thunderchiefs, but remained unmanned from July 1962 through June 1963. Operational in February 1964, temporarily deployed overseas from November 1964 to March 1965, first to Yokota AB, Japan, to augment the 41st Air Division, and then to Kadena AB, Okinawa, in support of the 18th Tactical Fighter Wing.
Reassigned in November 1965 permanently to Thailand, where it prepared for combat fighter operations at Korat RTAFB. Engaged in combat operations over Indochina from November 1965 until inactivated in October 1972, flying F-105s and, after 1968, it flew F-4s.[1]
The 469th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated in 2009 as part of the 80th Flying Training Wing to alleviate congestion in the 90th FTS.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
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