450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron

450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron [1]

450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron patch
Active 17 July 1942 - 17 December 1945
10 August 1947 - 27 June 1949
1 July 1954 - 18 November 1957
1 April 1973 - 10 November 1992
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Pilot Training
Decorations DUC
AFOUA
Emblem of the 450th Fighter-Day Squadron
World War II 450th Bombardment Squadron emblem

The 450th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron (450 EFTS) is a provisional United States Air Force unit assigned to the 322d Air Expeditionary Group. In 2008 it was converted to an expeditionary unit on provisional status for activation by Air Combat Command any time after 28 October 2008. Its current status is undetermined.

The squadron most recently was assigned to the 323d Flying Training Wing based at Mather Air Force Base, California. It operated T-37 Tweet and T-43 Bobcat aircraft conducting flight training for members of the United States military and foreign allies.

History

Established as a B-26 Marauder medium bomber squadron in mid-1942; trained under Third Air Force in Florida. Deployed to European Theater of Operations (ETO), being assigned to VIII Bomber Command 3d Bombardment Wing in England. Engaged in attacks on enemy targets in France and the Low Countries; being reassigned to IX Bomber Command in 1943 with the establishment of Ninth Air Force in England. Also supported VIII Bomber Command strategic bombardment raids in Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany, attacking enemy airfields to disrupt interceptor attacks on heavy bomber formations and destroy enemy interceptor aircraft on the ground before they could be launched.

After D-Day deployed to Advanced Landing Grounds in France and later Belgium. Provided tactical air support and bombardment of enemy strong points and military targets to disrupt resistance to Allied ground forces advancing from the French invasion beaches and the ensuing offensives on the continent; 1944-1945. Attacked enemy forces as part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany, 1945 and continued offensive tactical operations in support of ground forces until German capitulation in May 1945.

Became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe army of occupation in Germany during 1945. Demobilized in place and personnel returned to the United States in the fall of 1945; squadron inactivated as a paper unit in December 1945.

Reactivated as a reserve air training command squadron; assigned and performed advanced flight training for air cadets, 1947-1949. Inactivated due to funding restrictions. Assigned to Tactical Air Command and reactivated in 1954 flying F-86 Sabres; later F-100 Super Sabres as a fighter-day squadron. Inactivated in 1957 due to funding restrictions. Reactivated in 1972 as an Air Training Command navigator training squadron. It conducted undergraduate navigator training for USAF, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States allies from, 1973-1992.[1]

Lineage

Activated on 17 Jul 1942
Inactivated on 11 Dec 1945
Activated in the reserve on 9 Aug 1947
Inactivated on 27 Jun 1949
Activated on 1 Jul 1954
Inactivated on 18 Nov 1957.
Activated on 1 Apr 1973
Inactivated on 31 May 1993

Assignments

Bases stationed

Deployed at Landstuhl AB, West Germany, 20 Sep-4 Oct 1956

Aircraft Operated

See also

Operations

References

Notes

Bibliography

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