338th Combat Training Squadron

338th Combat Training Squadron
Emblem of the 338th Combat Training Squadron
Active	1942-1957
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Training

The 338th Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit. It is currently assigned to the 55th Operations Group, stationed at Offut Air Force Base, Nebraska.

Mission

The 338th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) performs the initial, difference, requalification, and upgrade training for the largest and most diverse operations group in Air Combat Command. The unit prepares 8 squadrons in 6 different programs to execute worldwide reconnaissance, command and control, and treaty verification missions directed by the NCA, JCS, theater CINCs, MAJCOM commanders and national intelligence agencies.

History

Lineage

• Constituted as 338 Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 10 Sep 1942

Activated on 12 Sep 1942

Redesignated as: 338 Fighter Squadron, Twin Engine on 20 Aug 1943

Redesignated as: 338 Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 5 Sep 1944

Inactivated on 20 Aug 1946

• Redesignated as 338 Reconnaissance Squadron, Very Long Range, Mapping on 3 Feb 1947

Activated on 15 Mar 1947

Redesignated as 338 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Photographic-Mapping on 1 Jul 1949

Inactivated on 14 Oct 1949

• Redesignated as 338 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium, Photographic-Mapping on 27 Oct 1950

Activated on 1 Nov 1950

Redesignated as 338 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, Medium on 15 Jul 1954

Discontinued, and inactivated, on 15 Jun 1963

• Redesignated as 338 Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, and activated, on 24 Feb 1967

Organized on 25 Mar 1967

Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Dec 1967

• Redesignated as 338 Combat Training Squadron on 7 Sep 1999

Activated on 20 Sep 1999

Assignments

• 55 Fighter Group, 12 Sep 1942-20 Aug 1946
• 5 Reconnaissance Group, 15 Mar 1947
• Strategic Air Command, 26 May 1949
• 55 Strategic Reconnaissance Group, 1 Jun-14 Oct 1949; 1 Nov 1950

Attached to 91 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 1 Nov-1 Dec 1950

• 55 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 16 Jun 1952-15 Jun 1963
• Strategic Air Command, 24 Feb 1967
• 55 Strategic Reconnaissance Wing, 25 March-25 Dec 1967
• 55 Operations Group, 20 Sep 1999-Present

Stations

• Paine Field, WA, 12 Sep 1942
• McChord Field, WA, 12 Sep 1942-20 Aug 1943
• RAF Nuthampstead, England, 14 Sep 1943
• RAF Wormingford, England, 16 Apr 1944
• AAF Station Kaufbeuren, Germany, 22 Jul 1945
• AAF Station Giebelstadt, Germany, 30 Apr-20 Aug 1946
• Harmon Field AAB, Guam, 15 Mar 1947
• Los Negros, 20 Jun 1947
• Clark Field, Philippines, 9 Jan 1948-6 May 1949
• Fairfield-Suisan AFB, CA, 26 May 1949
• Topeka (later, Forbes) AFB, KS, 1 Jun-14 Oct 1949
• Barksdale AFB, LA, 1 Nov 1950
• Rainey AFB, PR, 25 Nov 1950
• Forbes AFB, KS, 21 Oct 1952-15 Jun 1963
• Offutt AFB, NE, 24 Feb-25 Dec 1967; 20 Sep 1999-Present

Aircraft

• P-38, 1942-1944
• P-51, 1944-1946
• F-13, 1947
• F-2, 1947-1949
• RB-17, 1947-1949
• B-29, 1949; RB-29, 1950-1951
• RB-50, 1950-1954
• RB-47, 1954-1963; EB/RB-47, 1967.

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency

• Mauer, Mauer (1969), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II, Air Force Historical Studies Office, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. ISBN: 0892010975
• 338th Combat Training Squadron Lineage and Honors History