22d Training Squadron

22d Training Squadron
A-1 Skyraiders of the 56th Special Operations Wing at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base
Active	1968-1970; 1971-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	SERE training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Fairchild Air Force Base
Engagements	Viet Nam War
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with combat "V" Device
Insignia
22d Training Squadron emblem
TS	Squadron A-1 Tail Code

The 22d Training Squadron' is a United States Air Force unit stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington. Its mission is Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training. The squadron is assigned to the 336th Training Group of Air Education and Training Command.

History

The squadron was first organized as the 22nd Special Operations Squadron and operated in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War for two years from October 1968 until September 1970. The 22nd flew Douglas A-1 Skyraiders and was assigned to the 56th Special Operations Wing^[1] at Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base.

The primary call sign used by the unit was "Zorro", for interdiction missions over the Ho Chi Minh Trail, and the squadron was thus nicknamed the "Zorros." (The 606th Air Commando Squadron also used the "Zorro" call sign for a period of time prior to the establishment of the 22d for its missions over the Trail flying North American T-28 Trojan fighter bombers).

The 3612th Combat Crew Training Squadron was organized in 1971 and assigned to the 3636th Combat Crew Training Group at Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington.^[2] In 1993, the two squadrons were consolidated as the 22d Crew Training Squadron. The squadron conducts Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape training.

Lineage

22d Special Operations Squadron

• Constituted as the 22d Special Operations Squadron on 8 October 1968 and activated (not organized)
• Organized on 25 October 1968

Inactivated on 30 September 1970

• Consolidated on 1 January 1993 with the 3612th Combat Crew Training Squadron as the 22d Crew Training Squadron

22d Training Squadron

• Organized on 1 April 1971 as the 3612th Combat Crew Training Squadron
• Consolidated on 1 January 1993 with the 22d Special Operations Squadron as the 22d Crew Training Squadron

Recesignated 22d Training Squadron on 1 April 1994

Assignments

• Pacific Air Forces, 8 October 1968 (not organized)
• Thirteenth Air Force, 25 October 1968
• 56th Special Operations Wing, 31 October 1968 – 30 September 1970^[1]
• 3636th Combat Crew Training Group (later 336th Crew Training Group, 336th Training Group), 1 April 1971 – present^[2]

Stations

• Nakon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base, Thailand, 25 October 1968 – 30 September 1970^[3]
• Fairchild Air Force Base, Washington, 1 April 1971 – present^[4]

Aircraft

• Douglas A-1 Skyraider, 1968-1970

See also

• List of United States Air Force squadrons
• List of United States Air Force special operations squadrons
• List of A-1 Skyraider operators

References

1. Robertson, Patsy (July 13, 2015). "Factsheet 56 Fighter Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved June 11, 2016.
2. Robertson, Patsy (June 21, 2011). "Factsheet 336 Training Group (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved August 20, 2015.
3. See Robertson, Factsheet 56 Fighter Wing
4. See Robertson, Factsheet 336 Crew Training Group