85th Flying Training Squadron

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85th Flying Training Squadron
T-6A Texan II Laughlin AFB.jpg
T-6A Texan IIs from Laughlin AFB
Active1941–1962; 1972-present
CountryFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States
BranchFlag of the United States Air Force.svg  United States Air Force
RolePilot Training
Part of Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ Laughlin Air Force Base
Engagements Battle of the Kasserine Pass
Operation Husky
Operation Avalanche
Operation Dragoon [1]
Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [1]
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Imran “SHAKA” Khan
Insignia
85th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 2 January 1973) [1] 85th Flying Training Squadron.jpg
85th Bombardment Squadron emblem (approved 9 September 1944) [2] 85th Bombardment Squadron - Emblem.png

The 85th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.

Contents

Mission

The current mission of the 85th Flying Training Wing is to take recent undergraduate pilots, from Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps or the United States Air Force Academy and qualify them to fly the T-6 Texan II aircraft.

History

World War II

The 85th was first activated as a bombardment squadron shortly before the United States entered World War II. Stationed at McChord Field, Washington it flew antisubmarine patrols following the attack on Pearl Harbor. [3]

The squadron was sent to North Africa to participate in Allied operations in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations in late 1942 where it specialized in conducting low-level bombing missions against Axis forces. The unit earned a Distinguished Unit Citation for actions against German forces at Kasserine Pass in February 1943. [3]

Following the Axis defeat in North Africa the 85th participated in the reduction of Pantellaria and Lampedusa and the invasion of Sicily in the summer of 1943. The squadron next supported the British Eighth Army during the invasion of Italy and continued to lead support combat support throughout the Italian Campaign, earning it a second Distinguished Unit Citation for actions in the Po Valley 21–24 April 1945. In August and September 1944 the 85th briefly broke off from the Italian Campaign to support the invasion of southern France. [3]

Cold War

Following the Second World War the squadron remained an active bomber unit. It was the first squadron to operate the North American B-45 Tornado, the US Air Force's first jet bomber. It later transitioned to the Douglas B-66 Destroyer before being inactivated in May 1962.

Pilot training

The squadron was reactivated a decade later as a flying training squadron, replacing the 3645th Pilot Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. [3]

Lineage

Activated on 15 January 1941
Redesignated 85th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 20 August 1943
Redesignated 85th Bombardment Squadron, Light (Night Attack) on 16 April 1946
Redesignated 85th Bombardment Squadron, Light, Jet on 23 June 1948
Redesignated 85th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 16 November 1950
Redesignated 85th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical on 1 October 1955
Discontinued and inactivated on 22 June 1962
Activated on 1 September 1972 [1]

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

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References

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bailey, Carl E. (10 September 2008). "Factsheet 85 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  2. ↑ Maurer, pp. 294-295
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Laughlin AFB Library: Fact Sheets: 85th Flying Training Squadron". 47th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs. 9 July 2014. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 12 September 2017.
  4. ↑ Watkins indicates the squadron was on the Maltese island of Gozo. Watkins, p. 71.
  5. ↑ Probably at Torrente Comunelli until 20 August 1943, then at Gerbini Airfield. Watkins, p. 71.
  6. ↑ Station number in Johnson.
  7. ↑ Station information in Bailey, except as noted.

Bibliography

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