469th Flying Training Squadron

469th Flying Training Squadron

Active 1942-1944; 1952-1958; 1962-1972; 2009-present
Country  United States
Branch  United States Air Force
Role Flight Training
Part of Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ Sheppard Air Force Base
Engagements Vietnam War
Decorations Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Insignia
469th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 13 April 2009[1]
Patch with 469th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem

The 469th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 80th Flying Training Wing and is based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas.

History

World War II

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.

Korean War era

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.

Vietnam service

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]

By January 1969, proliferating antiaircraft defenses in the Barrel Roll area in the Kingdom of Laos were making operations ever riskier for Slow FACs such as the Raven FACs. The concept of stationing FACs at the same base with their strike aircraft was bruited. Volunteers from the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron were approved for Fast FAC duty under the call sign "Tiger" in February. The inertial guidance systems in their fresh F-4E Phantom IIs would prove consequential for piloting and target location in an environment largely lacking in aerial navigation aids, especially after the 1 March loss of the only TACAN site in northern Laos. On 17 March, the volunteer FACs began supplying the necessary tactical air power for General Vang Pao's Hmong guerrillas to sweep through Operation Raindance. In April, the "Tigers" were considered for night FAC duties, but rejected. By July, the "Tiger" FACs were so immersed in directing close air support, they were allotted four sorties per day. Between July and September 1969, the "Tigers" were credited with 34 enemy killed by air, 12 antiaircraft sites destroyed, 246 interdictory road cuts of enemy supply lines, 15 enemy supply trucks destroyed, 403 structures destroyed, 360 fires caused by explosions, and 681 secondary explosions of munitions and fuel. They accomplished this during 182 FAC missions, during which they directed 2,004 air strikes. In turn, the "Tigers" suffered five F-4E's severely damaged by enemy fire.[2][3]

21st century

The 469th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated in April 2009 as part of the 80th Flying Training Wing to conduct undergraduate flying training for EURO-NATO pilot candidates.[1] The 469 Flying Training Squadron is composed of approximately 60 multinational personnel representing 13 signatory NATO nations supporting Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training. The squadron employs 46 T-38 aircraft flying over 11,500 training sorties and 13,000 hours while providing undergraduate, pilot instructor and continuation training for over 200 student pilots and instructor trainees annually.[4]

Lineage

469th Bombardment Squadron
Activated 15 July 1942
Inactivated 1 April 1944
469th Flying Training Squadron
Activated on 1 December 1952
Inactivated 8 January 1958
Organized on 8 July 1962
Inactivated 31 October 1972

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Robertson, Patsy (April 2, 2014). "Factsheet 469 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016. Retrieved November 10, 2016.
  2. ↑ Rowley, pp. 193-194
  3. ↑ Schlight, pp. 26 - 29
  4. 1 2 "Fact Sheet: 80th Operations Group". Sheppard Air Force Base Public Affairs. October 17, 2012. Retrieved November 13, 2016.

Bibliography

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website http://www.afhra.af.mil/.

External links

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