8th Flying Training Squadron

"8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron" redirects here. For the 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron of 1945, see 308th Air Refueling Squadron.
8th Flying Training Squadron

8th Flying Training Squadron Patch
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
World War II reconnaissance squadron emblem

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.

Mission

Performs Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (JSUPT) with T-6A Texan II trainers.

History

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] Since the mid-1990s, the squadron has also conducted joint primary flight training for selected US Navy and US Marine Corps student naval aviators, with command of the squadron alternating between Air Force officers in the rank of lieutenant colonel and Navy officers in the ranks of commander.[4]

Lineage[3]

Activated 1 Feb 1942
Redesignated: 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 9 Jun 1942
Redesignated: 8th Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 Feb 1943
Redesignated: 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 Nov 1943
Redesignated: 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic, on 10 Aug 1948
Redesignated: 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet, on 1 Aug 1949
Redesignated: Inactivated on 25 Feb 1951
Redesignated: Activated on 1 Nov 1972.

Assignments[3]

Attached to Allied Air Forces, Apr–Sep 1942
Attached to V Bomber Command after c. 10 Dec 1945
Attached to 314th Composite Wing to Nov 1947

Stations[3]

  • March Field, California, 1 Feb – 14 Mar 1942
Two flights remained at March Field, CA, to 16 Jun 1942
Operated from Biak after c. 11 Aug 1944
Air Echelon assigned to: Clark Field, Luzon, Philippines, 19 May – 12 Aug 1945
  • Motobu Airfield, Okinawa, 21 Jul 1945
  • Chōfu Airfield, Japan, 28 Sep 1945
  • Irumagawa Air Base, Japan, 25 Jan 1946
  • Yokota AB, Japan, 25 Mar 1949
Detachment operated from Itazuke Air Base, Japan, from 29 Jun 1950
  • Itazuke Air Base, Japan, 9 Jul 1950
  • Taegu Air Base (K-2), South Korea, 2 Oct 1950
  • Komaki Air Base, Japan
Operated from Taegu Air Base (K-2), South Korea, 26 Jan – 25 Feb 1951

Aircraft Operated[3]

  • F-4 Lightning (1942–1944)
  • F-5 Lightning (1943–1946)
  • B-17 Flying Fortress (1942–1943)
  • B-26 Marauder (1943–1944)
  • F-6 Mustang (1946)
  • P-51 Mustang (1946)
  • P-61 Black Widow (1946)
  • F-15A/RF-61C Reporter (1947–1949)
  • RF-80 Shooting Star (1949–1951)
  • T-37 Tweet (1972–2006)
  • T-6 Texan II (2006 – present)

Operations[3]

Famous people

References

Notes

  1. ↑ Pape, Garry R., John M. and Donna Campbell. Northrop P-61 Black Widow – The Complete History and Combat Record. St. Paul, Minnesota: Motorbooks International, 1991. ISBN 0-87938-509-X
  2. ↑ Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 AFHRA 8 FTS Page
  4. ↑ http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9766

Bibliography

  • Stanaway, John and Bob Rocker. The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force. The 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in World War II. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-7643-0910-2.

External links