50th Flying Training Squadron
Four T-38Cs from Columbus AFB
Active1941-1944; 1947-1949; 1972-present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleUndergraduate Pilot Training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQColumbus Air Force Base
Nickname(s)World Famous Strikin' Snakes
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations[1]
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Paul “Scram” Anderson
Insignia
50th Flying Training Squadron emblem[1]
50th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 1 April 1942)[2]

The 50th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates Northrop T-38C Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

Mission

Training Combat Pilots for America

The advanced phase of undergraduate pilot training is conducted by the 50th Flying Training Squadron. This phase consists of 110 hours of flight instruction in the Northrop T-38C. Training includes advanced aircraft handling, tactical navigation, fluid maneuvering and an increased emphasis in two- and four-ship formation. At the completion of training, the graduate is awarded the aeronautical rating of pilot.

History

World War II

Lockheed P-38F-5-LO Lightning 42-12596 of the 50th Fighter Squadron in Iceland, 1942

The 50th flew patrols on the West Coast of the United States from February–June 1942 then provided air defense of Iceland from August 1942-February 1944. It was not operational between February 1944 and its inactivation in August 1944.

Air Force reserves

The squadron was active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949.

Flying training

The squadron has conducted undergraduate pilot training since, 1 June 1972.[1]

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 20 November 1940
Activated on 15 January 1941
Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942
Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 28 February 1944
Disbanded on 9 August 1944
  • Reconstituted and redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (All Weather) on 23 May 1947
Activated in the reserve on 12 June 1947
Inactivated on 27 June 1949
  • Redesignated 50th Flying Training Squadron on 22 Mar 1972
Activated on 1 June 1972[1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

See also

References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robertson, Patsy (3 April 2014). "Factsheet 50 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  2. ↑ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 215-216
  3. 1 2 3 4 Station number in Anderson.
  4. ↑ Stations in Robertson, except as noted.

Bibliography

• Malayney, Norman, The 25th Bomb Group (Rcn) in World War II, 2011, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., ISBN 978-0-7643-3950-9, Section: 50th Fighter Squadron pp-22-30.

Columbus AFB Public Site:

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