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==History==
==History==
===World War II===
⚫
The 5th flew combat in the [[European Theater of Operations]] and [[Mediterranean Theater of Operations]] from, August 1942-30 April 1945; participating in the invasion of [[North Africa]] on 8 November 1942 and liberation of [[Sicily]] and [[Italy]]. It served in [[Germany]] as an all-weather fighter squadron between 1946 and 1947 and as an air defense unit from, 1947-1988. The squadron had trained pilots and pilot instructors from, February 1990-December 1991 and since 1997.<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page">[http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9737 USAF fact sheet, 5th Flying Training Squadron]</ref>
Established as an Army Air Corps fighter squadron in January 1941; assigned to the Northeast Air District with P-40s and P-39s as part of the defense buildup prior to the United States entry into World War II.

Was deployed to the [[European Theater of Operations]] (ETO), assigned to [[VIII Fighter Command]] in August 1942. It's P-39 Aircobras were deemed unsuitable for the environment for escort duty; was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfires and was trained by the Royal Air Force. Flew some escort missions with VIII Bomber Commband B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators during the fall of 1942.

Was sent to [[North Africa]] in late 1942 as part of the [[Operation Torch]] invasion forces, taking up station in [[Algeria]]. Was reassigned to [[Twelfth Air Force]] and flew both fighter escort missions for the [[B-17 Flying Fortress]]es operating from Algeria as well as tactical interdiction strikes on enemy targets of opportunity in Algeria and [[Tunisia]] during the [[North African Campaign]].

Following the German defeat and withdrawal from North Africa the squadron participated in the Allied Invasion of [[Sicily]] and Invasion of [[Italy]] and subsequent drive of the [[United States Fifth Army]] up the Italian Peninsula. Engaged primarily in tactical operations after November 1943, supporting ground forces and attacking enemy targets of opportunity such as railroads, road convoys, bridges, strafing enemy airfields and other targets. Was deployed to [[Corsica]] in 1944 to attack enemy targets in support of Free French forces in the liberation of the island and to support Allied Forces in the invasion of Southern France. Continued offensive operations until the German Capitulation in May 1945. Returned to the United States and was demobilized during the summer and fall 1945 and inactivated.

===Air Defense Command===
Reactivated in 1946 as a United States Air Forces in Europe fighter squadron; was primarily an occupation unit at Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen Airfields. Reassigned from USAFE to Air Defense Command in June 1947, equipped with F-62 Black Widows and assigned to Mitchell Field, New York to perform air defense of the eastern United States.

In June 1948 the unit transitioned into F-82 Twin Mustangs. In the fall of 1949 the unit moved to McGuire AFB, New Jersey. In August of 1955 the 5th FIS designation was transferred to Suffolk County AFB, New York. In the spring of 1957 the unit transitioned into F-102A Delta Daggers.

In February 1960 the 5th FIS moved to Minot AFB, North Dakota and transitioned into the F-106 Delta Dart. An interesting thing about the 5th, was their mascots, two live Lynx kittens that produced several offspring which were kept on base. In the mid 1980's the 5th FIS converted to the F-15 Eagles. The F-15s only flew over Minot until the spring of 1988, when the 5th FIS was deactivated. After the unit inactivated, their two Lynx kitten mascots were donated to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot.

===Modern era===
⚫
Reactivated in 1990 as an Air Training Command (later AETC) Undergraudate Pilot Training squadron at Vance AFB. The squadron had trained pilots and pilot instructors from, February 1990-December 1991 and since 1997.<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page">[http://www.afhra.af.mil/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=9737 USAF fact sheet, 5th Flying Training Squadron]</ref>


===Lineage<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page"/>===
===Lineage<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page"/>===
*5th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (1940–1942)
* Constituted '''5 Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor)''' on 20 Nov 1940
: Activated on 15 Jan 1941
*5th Fighter Squadron (1942–1948)
*5th Fighter Squadron, All Weather (1948–1950)
: Redesignated '''5 Fighter Squadron''' on 15 May 1942
: Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945
*5th Fighter-All Weather Squadron (1950–1951)
* Activated on 9 Nov 1946
*5th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (1951–1990)
: Redesignated: '''5 Fighter Squadron, All Weather''' on 10 May 1948
*5th Flying Training Squadron (1990–1997)
: Redesignated: '''5 Fighter-All Weather Squadron''' on 20 Jan 1950
*5th Flying Training Flight (1997–1998)
: Redesignated: '''5 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron''' on 1 May 1951
*5th Flying Training Squadron (1998–Present)
: Inactivated on 1 Jul 1988
* Redesignated '''5 Flying Training Squadron''' on 1 Jan 1990
: Activated on 16 Feb 1990
: Inactivated on 15 Dec 1991
* Redesignated '''5 Flying Training Flight''', and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Apr 1997
: Redesignated '''5 Flying Training Squadron''' on 1 Apr 1998.


===Assignments<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page"/>===
===Assignments<ref name="AFHRA 5 FTS Page"/>===

Revision as of 18:24, 29 September 2010

5th Flying Training Squadron
5th Flying Training Squadron Patch
Active15 January 1941 - 7 November 1945
9 November 1946 - 1 July 1988
16 February 1990 - 15 December 1991
1 April 1997 - Present
CountryUnited States
BranchUnited States Air Force
TypePilot Training
Part ofAir Force Reserve Command
10th Air Force
340th Flying Training Group
Garrison/HQVance Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Spitten Kittens
EngagementsOperation Torch
Operation Husky
Operation Avalanche
Decorations DUC
AFOUA
5th FIS (Air Defense Command)
5th FIS F-106As flying past Mt. Rushmore in 1981.

The 5th Flying Training Squadron (5 FTS) is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates T-1 Jayhawk aircraft conducting flight training.

History

World War II

Established as an Army Air Corps fighter squadron in January 1941; assigned to the Northeast Air District with P-40s and P-39s as part of the defense buildup prior to the United States entry into World War II.

Was deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), assigned to VIII Fighter Command in August 1942. It's P-39 Aircobras were deemed unsuitable for the environment for escort duty; was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfires and was trained by the Royal Air Force. Flew some escort missions with VIII Bomber Commband B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators during the fall of 1942.

Was sent to North Africa in late 1942 as part of the Operation Torch invasion forces, taking up station in Algeria. Was reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and flew both fighter escort missions for the B-17 Flying Fortresses operating from Algeria as well as tactical interdiction strikes on enemy targets of opportunity in Algeria and Tunisia during the North African Campaign.

Following the German defeat and withdrawal from North Africa the squadron participated in the Allied Invasion of Sicily and Invasion of Italy and subsequent drive of the United States Fifth Army up the Italian Peninsula. Engaged primarily in tactical operations after November 1943, supporting ground forces and attacking enemy targets of opportunity such as railroads, road convoys, bridges, strafing enemy airfields and other targets. Was deployed to Corsica in 1944 to attack enemy targets in support of Free French forces in the liberation of the island and to support Allied Forces in the invasion of Southern France. Continued offensive operations until the German Capitulation in May 1945. Returned to the United States and was demobilized during the summer and fall 1945 and inactivated.

Air Defense Command

Reactivated in 1946 as a United States Air Forces in Europe fighter squadron; was primarily an occupation unit at Schweinfurt and Bad Kissingen Airfields. Reassigned from USAFE to Air Defense Command in June 1947, equipped with F-62 Black Widows and assigned to Mitchell Field, New York to perform air defense of the eastern United States.

In June 1948 the unit transitioned into F-82 Twin Mustangs. In the fall of 1949 the unit moved to McGuire AFB, New Jersey. In August of 1955 the 5th FIS designation was transferred to Suffolk County AFB, New York. In the spring of 1957 the unit transitioned into F-102A Delta Daggers.

In February 1960 the 5th FIS moved to Minot AFB, North Dakota and transitioned into the F-106 Delta Dart. An interesting thing about the 5th, was their mascots, two live Lynx kittens that produced several offspring which were kept on base. In the mid 1980's the 5th FIS converted to the F-15 Eagles. The F-15s only flew over Minot until the spring of 1988, when the 5th FIS was deactivated. After the unit inactivated, their two Lynx kitten mascots were donated to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in Minot.

Modern era

Reactivated in 1990 as an Air Training Command (later AETC) Undergraudate Pilot Training squadron at Vance AFB. The squadron had trained pilots and pilot instructors from, February 1990-December 1991 and since 1997.[1]

Lineage[1]

  • Constituted 5 Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940
Activated on 15 Jan 1941
Redesignated 5 Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Inactivated on 7 Nov 1945
  • Activated on 9 Nov 1946
Redesignated: 5 Fighter Squadron, All Weather on 10 May 1948
Redesignated: 5 Fighter-All Weather Squadron on 20 Jan 1950
Redesignated: 5 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 1 May 1951
Inactivated on 1 Jul 1988
  • Redesignated 5 Flying Training Squadron on 1 Jan 1990
Activated on 16 Feb 1990
Inactivated on 15 Dec 1991
  • Redesignated 5 Flying Training Flight, and activated in the Reserve, on 1 Apr 1997
Redesignated 5 Flying Training Squadron on 1 Apr 1998.

Assignments[1]

Stations[1]

Aircraft[1]

Operations[1]

References

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

  • Maurer, Maurer (1983). Air Force Combat Units Of World War II. Maxwell AFB, AL: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0892010924.
  1. ^ a b c d e f USAF fact sheet, 5th Flying Training Squadron

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=5th_Flying_Training_Squadron&oldid=387769651"