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50th Flying Training Squadron
Four T-38Cs from Columbus AFB
Active	1941-1944; 1947-1949; 1972-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Undergraduate Pilot Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Columbus Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	World Famous Strikin' Snakes
Engagements	European Theater of Operations
Decorations	Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Gene Smith
Insignia
50th Flying Training Squadron emblem
50th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 1 April 1942)

The 50th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates Northrop 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 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

World War II

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.

Air Force reserves

The squadron was active in the reserve from 1947 to 1949.

Flying training

The squadron has conducted undergraduate pilot training since, 1 June 1972.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 20 November 1940

Activated on 15 January 1941

Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 28 February 1944

Disbanded on 9 August 1944

• Reconstituted and redesignated 50th Fighter Squadron (All Weather) on 23 May 1947

Activated in the reserve on 12 June 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated 50th Flying Training Squadron on 22 Mar 1972

Activated on 1 June 1972

Assignments

• 14th Pursuit Group (later 14th Fighter Group), 15 January 1941
• 342d Composite Group, 14 November 1942
• Eighth Air Force, February–9 Aug 1944 (attached to 8th Reconnaissance Group (Provisional) )
• Second Air Force, 12 June 1947
• 381st Bombardment Group, 30 September 1947 – 27 June 1949
• 14th Flying Training Wing, 1 Jun 1972
• 14th Operations Group, 15 December 1991 – present

Stations

Aircraft

• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1941–1942)
• Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1942–1944)
• North American AT-6 Texan (1947–1949)
• Northrop T-38A Talon (1972–2003)
• Northrop T-38C Talon (2002–Present)

See also

• 50 FTS Performing Atlanta Braves Opening Day Flyover

References

Notes

1. ^ Robertson, Patsy (3 April 2014). "Factsheet 50 Flying Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
2. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 215-216
3. ^ Station number in Anderson.
4. Stations in Robertson, except as noted.

Bibliography

• Malayney, Norman, The 25th Bomb Group (Rcn) in World War II, 2011, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., ISBN 978-0-7643-3950-9, Section: 50th Fighter Squadron pp-22-30.

External links

• 50th Flying Training Squadron Website

Columbus AFB Public Site:

• https://web.archive.org/web/20071123064834/http://www.columbus.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=5233

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Groups	336th Training Group 381st Training Group

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Category

• Military units and formations in Mississippi
• Flying training squadrons of the United States Air Force