479th Flying Training Group
Encyclopedia
The 479th Flying Training Group (479 FTG) is a United States Air Force
unit, stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola
(NASP). A component of Air Education and Training Command
(AETC), the 479 FTG was activated on 2 October 2009.
(12 FTW) at Randolph AFB, Texas.
The 479 FTG is an operational component of the 12th FTG at Randolph as a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU), flying the T-6A Texan II and T-1A Jayhawk at NASP. The first CSO class, 11-01, graduated on 15 April 2011.
The group controls three subordinate squadrons:
The unit was constituted as the 479th Fighter Group on 12 October 1943 and activated on 15 October at Grand Central Air Terminal, near Long Beach
, California. Equipped with the Lockheed P-38F Lightning, the group trained for combat and served as an air defense organization for the west coast as part of IV Fighter Command of Fourth Air Force
. It was stationed at Santa Maria AAF
, California
Even though the defense of the US west coast initially took priority, it was decided to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain for heavy bomber escort duty. The 479th was reassigned to RAF Wattisham
, England, April–May 1944, and assigned to the 65th Fighter Wing, VIII Fighter Command, Eighth Air Force
.
The 479th group consisted of three Fighter Squadrons, (434th
(L2), 435th
(J2) and 436th (9B)) and the aircraft of the group had no cowling color markings as did other Eighth Air Force fighter groups. 479th lightnings were marked only with colored tail rudders. The initial inventory of P-38s, many of which were hand-me-downs from other groups painted in olive drab camouflage, used geometric symbols on the tail to identify squadrons, white for camouflaged aircraft and black for unpainted (natural metal finish) Lightnings.
The 479th FG escorted heavy bombers during operations against targets on the Continent, strafed targets of opportunity, and flew fighter-bomber, counter-air, and area-patrol missions. Engaged primarily in B-17/B-24 escort activities and fighter sweeps until the Normandy invasion
in June 1944.
The group patrolled the beachhead during the invasion. Strafed and dive-bombed troops, bridges, locomotives, railway cars, barges, vehicles, airfields, gun emplacements, flak towers, ammunition dumps, power stations, and radar sites while on escort or fighter-bomber missions as the Allies drove across France
during the summer and fall of 1944. The unit flew area patrols to support the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
in July and the airborne attack on Holland in September.
The 479th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the destruction of numerous aircraft on airfields in France on 18 August and 5 September and during aerial battle near Münster
on 26 September. The unit continued escort and fighter-bomber activities from October to mid-December 1944. It converted to P-51s between 10 September and 1 October, using both types on missions until conversion was completed.
The group participated in the Battle of the Bulge
(December 1944 – January 1945) by escorting bombers to and from targets in the battle area and by strafing transportation targets while on escort duty. From February to April 1945 it continued to fly escort missions, but also provided area patrols to support the airborne attack across the Rhine
in March.
The unit returned to Camp Kilmer
New Jersey
in November 1945, and was inactivated on December 1945. Among the notable pilots of the 479th were its second group commander, Col. Hubert Zemke
, with 17.75 confirmed aerial victories and Major Robin Olds
, who was officially credited with 12 German planes shot down and 11.5 others destroyed on the ground.
The group remained in England after the end of the war in Europe, demobilizing most of its personnel. The group itself was inactivated as an administrative unit under Army Service Forces
in December 1945.
The group was re-activated at George AFB, California on 1 December 1952 as the 479th Fighter-Bomber Group. Under the postwar United States Air Force
], the group was the operational component of the new 479th Fighter-Bomber Wing, with the 434th
, 435th
, 436th and 476th Fighter-Bomber/Tactical Fighter Squadrons assigned.
The group trained and achieved tactical proficiency with initially with F-51D Mustangs (1952–53), later with F-86F Sabres (1953–55), and being re-designated as the 479th Fighter-Day Group on 15 February 1954. It participated in numerous exercises, augmented air defenses of the West Coast, and deployed overseas to support other commands. In 1955 the group's assigned squadrons were assigned directly to the Wing, when the unit adopted the "Tri-Deputate" organization, becoming non-operational. It was inactivated on 8 October 1957
The 479th was reactivated as 479th Fighter Group at Holloman AFB, New Mexico on 26 July 1991 under the 833d Air Division
. The group assumed the downsized assets of the 479th Tactical Training Wing which was inactivated due to cutbacks in training after the end of the Cold War
, with the residual resources of the 479th TTW taken over by the 49th Fighter Wing
at Holloman.
The group controlled the AT-38s of the 434th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron briefly, providing Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) training for pilots assigned to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
. The group inactivated on 15 November 1991, with the training mission and aircraft being consolidated under the 586th Flight Training Squadron.
unit. The group's activation was part of an effort to increase pilot production due to a pilot shortage throughout the Air Force. Its mission at Moody was to conduct primary Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training. The group consisted of three training squadrons. These were :
These aircraft all carried the Tail Code "MY". The 49 FTS and 435 FTS conducted an advanced pilot training and the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) course for recently winged USAF Navigator/Combat Systems Officers en route to Weapons System Officer (WSO) assignments in the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft and recently winged pilots en route to the F-22, F-15C, F-15E, F-16, and A-10. The 3d FTS provided basic pilot training.
As a result of BRAC 2005, the 479th FTG was inactivated on 21 July 2007. Its aircraft and equipment were redistributed to other AETC units.
, Florida on 2 October 2009. It is using T-6A Texan IIs and T-1A Jayhawks to train Combat Systems Officers (i.e., Navigators/Electronic Warfare Officers/Weapons System Officers) for eventual assignment to various USAF aircraft. In this capacity, and pursuant to BRAC
action, the 479 FTG assumes responsibility for the successor program to USAF Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) previously conducted in the T-43 Bobcat and T-1A Jayhawk by the 12th Flying Training Wing
at Randolph AFB, Texas from 1993 – 2010 and the T-43 Bobcat and T-37 Tweet with the 323d Flying Training Wing at the former Mather AFB, California from 1973 – 1993.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit, stationed at Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
(NASP). A component of Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
(AETC), the 479 FTG was activated on 2 October 2009.
Overview
The unit conducts Undergraduate Combat Systems Officer (CSO) training, replacing the former Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) curriculum previously taught by the 12th Flying Training Wing12th Flying Training Wing
The 12th Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas...
(12 FTW) at Randolph AFB, Texas.
The 479 FTG is an operational component of the 12th FTG at Randolph as a Geographically Separated Unit (GSU), flying the T-6A Texan II and T-1A Jayhawk at NASP. The first CSO class, 11-01, graduated on 15 April 2011.
The group controls three subordinate squadrons:
- 479th Operations Support Squadron
- 451st Flying Training Squadron451st Flying Training SquadronThe 451st Flying Training Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assigned to the 479th Flying Training Group, stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida.-History:...
(T-6A) - 455th Flying Training Squadron455th Flying Training SquadronThe 455th Flying Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit of the Air Education and Training Command . It was previously assigned to the former 323d Flying Training Wing at the former Mather Air Force Base, California until it was inactivated on 1 October 1993...
(T-1A)
World War II
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
, California. Equipped with the Lockheed P-38F Lightning, the group trained for combat and served as an air defense organization for the west coast as part of IV Fighter Command of Fourth Air Force
Fourth Air Force
The Fourth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Reserve . It is headquartered at March Air Reserve Base, California....
. It was stationed at Santa Maria AAF
Santa Maria Public Airport
-References:-External links:*...
, California
Even though the defense of the US west coast initially took priority, it was decided to deploy Lightning squadrons to Britain for heavy bomber escort duty. The 479th was reassigned to RAF Wattisham
RAF Wattisham
RAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
, England, April–May 1944, and assigned to the 65th Fighter Wing, VIII Fighter Command, Eighth Air Force
Eighth Air Force
The Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
.
The 479th group consisted of three Fighter Squadrons, (434th
434th Fighter Training Squadron
The 434th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
(L2), 435th
435th Fighter Training Squadron
The 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
(J2) and 436th (9B)) and the aircraft of the group had no cowling color markings as did other Eighth Air Force fighter groups. 479th lightnings were marked only with colored tail rudders. The initial inventory of P-38s, many of which were hand-me-downs from other groups painted in olive drab camouflage, used geometric symbols on the tail to identify squadrons, white for camouflaged aircraft and black for unpainted (natural metal finish) Lightnings.
The 479th FG escorted heavy bombers during operations against targets on the Continent, strafed targets of opportunity, and flew fighter-bomber, counter-air, and area-patrol missions. Engaged primarily in B-17/B-24 escort activities and fighter sweeps until the Normandy invasion
D-Day
D-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
in June 1944.
The group patrolled the beachhead during the invasion. Strafed and dive-bombed troops, bridges, locomotives, railway cars, barges, vehicles, airfields, gun emplacements, flak towers, ammunition dumps, power stations, and radar sites while on escort or fighter-bomber missions as the Allies drove across France
Operation Overlord
Operation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
during the summer and fall of 1944. The unit flew area patrols to support the breakthrough at Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô
Saint-Lô is a commune in north-western France, the capital of the Manche department in Normandy.-History:Originally called Briovère , the town is built on and around ramparts. Originally it was a Gaul fortified settlement...
in July and the airborne attack on Holland in September.
The 479th Fighter Group received a Distinguished Unit Citation for the destruction of numerous aircraft on airfields in France on 18 August and 5 September and during aerial battle near Münster
Münster
Münster is an independent city in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. It is located in the northern part of the state and is considered to be the cultural centre of the Westphalia region. It is also capital of the local government region Münsterland...
on 26 September. The unit continued escort and fighter-bomber activities from October to mid-December 1944. It converted to P-51s between 10 September and 1 October, using both types on missions until conversion was completed.
The group participated in the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
(December 1944 – January 1945) by escorting bombers to and from targets in the battle area and by strafing transportation targets while on escort duty. From February to April 1945 it continued to fly escort missions, but also provided area patrols to support the airborne attack across the Rhine
Operation Varsity
Operation Varsity was a successful joint American–British airborne operation that took place toward the end of World War II...
in March.
The unit returned to Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
in November 1945, and was inactivated on December 1945. Among the notable pilots of the 479th were its second group commander, Col. Hubert Zemke
Hubert Zemke
Colonel Hubert A. "Hub" Zemke was a career officer in the United States Air Force, a fighter pilot in World War II, and a leading USAAF ace...
, with 17.75 confirmed aerial victories and Major Robin Olds
Robin Olds
Robin Olds was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was a "triple ace", with a combined total of 16 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a brigadier general....
, who was officially credited with 12 German planes shot down and 11.5 others destroyed on the ground.
The group remained in England after the end of the war in Europe, demobilizing most of its personnel. The group itself was inactivated as an administrative unit under Army Service Forces
Army Service Forces
The Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
in December 1945.
Cold War
- for additional history, see 479th Tactical Training Wing479th Tactical Training WingThe 479th Tactical Training Wing is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Tactical Training, Holloman, stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico...
The group was re-activated at George AFB, California on 1 December 1952 as the 479th Fighter-Bomber Group. Under the postwar United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
], the group was the operational component of the new 479th Fighter-Bomber Wing, with the 434th
434th Fighter Training Squadron
The 434th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
, 435th
435th Fighter Training Squadron
The 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
, 436th and 476th Fighter-Bomber/Tactical Fighter Squadrons assigned.
The group trained and achieved tactical proficiency with initially with F-51D Mustangs (1952–53), later with F-86F Sabres (1953–55), and being re-designated as the 479th Fighter-Day Group on 15 February 1954. It participated in numerous exercises, augmented air defenses of the West Coast, and deployed overseas to support other commands. In 1955 the group's assigned squadrons were assigned directly to the Wing, when the unit adopted the "Tri-Deputate" organization, becoming non-operational. It was inactivated on 8 October 1957
Holloman AFB
833d Air Division
The 833d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force, being stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico...
. The group assumed the downsized assets of the 479th Tactical Training Wing which was inactivated due to cutbacks in training after the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, with the residual resources of the 479th TTW taken over by the 49th Fighter Wing
49th Fighter Wing
The 49th Wing is an air combat unit of the United States Air Force and the host unit at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico. The 49 WG is part of the Air Combat Command Twelfth Air Force....
at Holloman.
The group controlled the AT-38s of the 434th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron briefly, providing Lead-In Fighter Training (LIFT) training for pilots assigned to fly the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
. The group inactivated on 15 November 1991, with the training mission and aircraft being consolidated under the 586th Flight Training Squadron.
Moody AFB
The unit was reactivated as the 479th Flying Training Group at Moody AFB, Georgia on 30 July 2001 as an Air Education and Training CommandAir Education and Training Command
Air Education and Training Command was established July 1, 1993, with the realignment of Air Training Command and Air University. It is one of the U.S. Air Force's ten major commands and reports to Headquarters, United States Air Force....
unit. The group's activation was part of an effort to increase pilot production due to a pilot shortage throughout the Air Force. Its mission at Moody was to conduct primary Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training. The group consisted of three training squadrons. These were :
- 49th Flying Training Squadron (AT-38C)
- 435th Flying Training Squadron (AT-38C)
- 3d Flying Training Squadron3d Flying Training SquadronThe 3d Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 71st Operations Group under the 71st Flying Training Wing. It operates the T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
(T-6 Texan II) - 479th Operations Support Squadron
These aircraft all carried the Tail Code "MY". The 49 FTS and 435 FTS conducted an advanced pilot training and the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) course for recently winged USAF Navigator/Combat Systems Officers en route to Weapons System Officer (WSO) assignments in the F-15E Strike Eagle aircraft and recently winged pilots en route to the F-22, F-15C, F-15E, F-16, and A-10. The 3d FTS provided basic pilot training.
As a result of BRAC 2005, the 479th FTG was inactivated on 21 July 2007. Its aircraft and equipment were redistributed to other AETC units.
NAS Pensacola
The 479 FTG was reactivated at Naval Air Station PensacolaNaval Air Station Pensacola
Naval Air Station Pensacola or NAS Pensacola , "The Cradle of Naval Aviation", is a United States Navy base located next to Warrington, Florida, a community southwest of the Pensacola city limits...
, Florida on 2 October 2009. It is using T-6A Texan IIs and T-1A Jayhawks to train Combat Systems Officers (i.e., Navigators/Electronic Warfare Officers/Weapons System Officers) for eventual assignment to various USAF aircraft. In this capacity, and pursuant to BRAC
Base Realignment and Closure
Base Realignment and Closure is a process of the United States federal government directed at the administration and operation of the Armed Forces, used by the United States Department of Defense and Congress to close excess military installations and realign the total asset inventory to reduce...
action, the 479 FTG assumes responsibility for the successor program to USAF Undergraduate Navigator Training (UNT) previously conducted in the T-43 Bobcat and T-1A Jayhawk by the 12th Flying Training Wing
12th Flying Training Wing
The 12th Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas...
at Randolph AFB, Texas from 1993 – 2010 and the T-43 Bobcat and T-37 Tweet with the 323d Flying Training Wing at the former Mather AFB, California from 1973 – 1993.
Lineage
- Established as 479th Fighter Group (Twin Engine) on 12 Oct 1943
- Activated on 15 Oct 1943
- Re-designated as 479th Fighter Group, Two Engine c. 21 Feb 1944
- Apparently re-designated as 479th Fighter Group, Single Engine by 5 Sep 1944
- Inactivated on 1 Dec 1945
- Re-designated as 479th Fighter-Bomber Group on 15 Oct 1952
- Activated on 1 Dec 1952
- Re-designated as 479th Fighter-Day Group on 15 Feb 1954
- Inactivated on 8 Oct 1957
- Re-designated as: 479th Tactical Training Group on 31 Jul 1985 (Remained inactive)
- Re-designated as 479th Fighter Group on 1 Jul 1991
- Activated on 26 Jul 1991
- Inactivated on 15 Nov 1991
- Re-designated as 479th Flying Training Group on 6 Jul 2000
- Activated on 31 Jul 2000
- Inactivated on 21 Jun 2007
- Activated on 2 Oct 2009.
Assignments
- IV Fighter CommandIV Fighter CommandThe IV Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to Fourth Air Force, based at Oakland Airport, California...
, 15 Oct 1943 - Los Angeles Fighter WingLos Angeles Fighter WingThe Los Angeles Air Defense Region is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with the Fourth Air Force, stationed in San Francisco, California It was inactivated on 31 August 1945- History:...
, 1 Nov 1943 - Eighth Air ForceEighth Air ForceThe Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, 15 May 1944 - VIII Fighter CommandVIII Fighter CommandThe VIII Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with the United States Air Forces in Europe, being stationed at RAF Honington, England. It was inactivated on 20 March 1946....
, 16 May 1944 - 2d Bombardment Division, 15 Sep 1944
- 65th Fighter Wing, 10 Oct 1944
- Eighth Air ForceEighth Air ForceThe Eighth Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Global Strike Command . It is headquartered at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana....
, by Jul 1945 - 3d Air Division, 16 Jul 1945
- 66th Fighter Wing, by Oct 1945
- 3d Air Division, 16 Oct 1945
- Army Service ForcesArmy Service ForcesThe Army Service Forces were one of the three autonomous components of the Army of the United States during World War II, the others being the Army Air Forces and Army Ground Forces. They were created on February 28, 1942 by Executive Order Number 9082 "Reorganizing the Army and the War Department"...
by late Nov-1 Dec 1945 - 479th Fighter-Bomber (later, 479th Fighter-Day) Wing, 1 Dec 1952 – 8 Oct 1957
- 833d Air Division833d Air DivisionThe 833d Air Division is an inactive United States Air Force organization. Its last assignment was with Tactical Air Command, assigned to Twelfth Air Force, being stationed at Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico...
, 26 Jul – 15 Nov 1991 - Nineteenth Air ForceNineteenth Air ForceThe Nineteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base and belonging to the Air Education and Training Command...
, 31 Jul 2000 – 21 Jun 2007 - 12th Flying Training Wing12th Flying Training WingThe 12th Flying Training Wing is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas...
, 2 Oct 2009 – present
Stations
- Grand Central Air Terminal, California, 15 October 1943
- Lomita Flight Strip, California, c. 6 February 1944
- Santa Maria AAFSanta Maria Public Airport-References:-External links:*...
, California, c. 8 April – c. 12 April 1944 - RAF WattishamRAF WattishamRAF Wattisham was a Royal Air Force station located in East Anglia just outside the village of Wattisham, south of Stowmarket in Suffolk, England. During the Cold War it was a major front-line air force base...
(AAF-377), England, c. 15 May 1944 – c. 23 November 1945 - Camp KilmerCamp KilmerCamp Kilmer, New Jersey is a former United States Army camp that was activated in June 1942 as a staging area and part of an installation of the New York Port of Embarkation. The camp was organized as part of the Army Service Forces Transportation Corps. Troops were quartered at Camp Kilmer in...
, New JerseyNew JerseyNew Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
, c. 29 November – 1 December 1945 - George AFB, California, 1 December 1952 – 8 October 1957
- Holloman AFB, New MexicoNew MexicoNew Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
, 26 July – 15 November 1991 - Moody AFB, GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, 31 July 2000 – 21 June 2007 - NAS Pensacola, Florida, 2 October 2009 – present
Components
- 3d Flying Training Squadron3d Flying Training SquadronThe 3d Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 71st Operations Group under the 71st Flying Training Wing. It operates the T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
, 2 Apr 2001 – 26 Apr 2007 - 49th Flying Training (later, 49th Fighter Training) Squadron49th Fighter Training SquadronThe 49th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
: 10 Oct 2000 – 10 May 2007 - 433d Tactical Fighter Training (later, 433d Fighter) Squadron: 26 Jul – 15 Nov 1991
- 434th Fighter (later, 434th Fighter-Bomber; 434th Fighter-Day) Squadron434th Fighter Training SquadronThe 434th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
: 15 Oct 1943 – 1 Dec 1945; 1 Dec 1952-8 Oct 1957 (detached 1 Dec 1952 – 11 Jan 1953) - 435th Fighter (later, 435th Fighter-Bomber; 435th Fighter-Day; 435th Flying Training; 435 Fighter Training) Squadron435th Fighter Training SquadronThe 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
: 15 Oct 1943 – 1 Dec 1945; 1 Dec 1952-8 Oct 1957 (detached 1 Dec 1952 – 27 Mar 1953, 26 Jul – 6 Sep 1955); 1 Oct 2001 – 2 Mar 2007 - 435th Tactical Training (later, 435th Training) Squadron: 26 Jul – 15 Nov 1991
- 436th Fighter (later, 436th Fighter-Bomber; 436th Fighter-Day; 436th Tactical Fighter Training) Squadron: 15 Oct 1943 – 1 Dec 1945; 1 Dec 1952-8 Oct 1957 (detached 1 Dec 1952 – 11 Jan 1953, 7–27 Feb 1954); 26 Jul – 2 Aug 1991
- 451st Flying Training Squadron451st Flying Training SquadronThe 451st Flying Training Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assigned to the 479th Flying Training Group, stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida.-History:...
, 2 Oct 2009 – present - 455th Flying Training Squadron455th Flying Training SquadronThe 455th Flying Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit of the Air Education and Training Command . It was previously assigned to the former 323d Flying Training Wing at the former Mather Air Force Base, California until it was inactivated on 1 October 1993...
, 2 Oct 2009 – present - 479th Operations Support Squadron, 2 Oct 2009 – present
Aircraft assigned
- P-38 LightningP-38 LightningThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
, 1943–1944 - P-51 (later F-51) Mustang, 1944–1945; 1952–1953
- F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
, 1953–1956 - AT-38A/C TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
, 1991; 2000–2007 - T-6 Texan IIT-6 Texan IIThe Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company . Based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer and...
2000–2007