50th Flying Training Squadron



The 50th Flying Training Squadron (50 FTS) is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates 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 110.8 hours of academic instruction, 70 hours of ground training, 38 hours of simulator instruction, and 69 sorties comprising 81.1 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
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. The squadron has conducted undergraduate pilot training since, 1 June 1972.

Operations

 * World War II

Lineage

 * 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) (1940–1942)
 * 50th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) (1942–1944)
 * 50th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine (1944–1947)
 * 50th Fighter Squadron (All Weather) (1947–1972)
 * 50th Flying Training Squadron (1972–Present)

Assignments

 * 14th Fighter Group (1941–1942)
 * 342d Composite Group (1942–1944)
 * Eighth Air Force (1944)
 * Attached: 802d Reconnaissance Group (Provisional) (March-9 August 1944)
 * Second Air Force (1947)
 * 381st Bombardment Group (1947–1949)
 * 14th Flying Training Wing (1972–Present)

Bases stationed

 * Hamilton Field, California (1941, 1942)
 * March Field, California (1941–1942)
 * Oakland, California (1942)
 * RAF Atcham, England (1942)
 * Iceland (1942–1944)


 * RAF Nuthampstead, England (1944)
 * RAF Cheddington, England (1944)
 * RAF Watton, England (1944)
 * Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (1947–1949)
 * Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi (1972–Present)

Aircraft Operated

 * P-40 Warhawk (1941–1942)
 * P-38 Lightning (1942–1944)
 * AT-6 Texan (1947–1949)
 * T-38A Talon (1972–2003)
 * T-38C Talon (2002–Present)