8th Flying Training Squadron


The 8th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operated during World War II and the Korean War, was inactivated in 1951, and reactivated in 1972. It currently conducts flight training using T-6A Texan II aircraft.

Mission

Performs Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training with T-6A Texan II trainers.

History

World War II

Activated in early 1942 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area, being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia.
Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Netherlands East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of MacArthur's Island-Hopping campaign. After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, became part of the Army of Occupation in Japan. It was not operational between April 1946 and July 1947.

Korean War

From 1947–1949 flew photographic mapping missions over Japan, Korea, Philippines and other areas of western Pacific. During the Korean War, the squadron flew tactical reconnaissance sorties over North and South Korea from, 29 June 1950 – 24 February 1951.

Flying training

The 8th has conducted undergraduate pilot training for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and selected foreign allies since 1 November 1972. Since the mid-1990s, the squadron has also conducted joint primary flight training for selected US Navy and US Marine Corps student naval aviators, with command of the squadron alternating between Air Force officers in the rank of lieutenant colonel and Navy officers in the ranks of commander.

Lineage