| 8th Flying Training Squadron | |
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8th Flying Training Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 1 February 1942 – 21 February 1951 1 November 1972 – present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Pilot Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 71st Flying Training Wing 71st Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Vance Air Force Base |
| Decorations | DUC AFOUA PPUC ROK PUC |
The 8th Flying Training Squadron (8 FTS) is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the T-6A Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.
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Performs Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) with T-37 Tweet and T-6A Texan II trainers.
Activated in early 194 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area (SPA), being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia.
Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Dutch East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of Mac Arthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945). After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, became part of the Army of Occupation in Japan. It was not operational between April 1946 and July 1947.
From 1947–1949 flew photographic mapping missions over Japan, Korea, Philippines and other areas of western Pacific.[1][2] During the Korean War, the squadron flew tactical reconnaissance sorties over North and South Korea from, 29 June 1950 – 24 February 1951.
The 8th has conducted undergraduate pilot training for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and selected foreign allies since 1 November 1972.[3]
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