• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

3rd Flying Training Squadron [3rd FTS]

The 3rd Flying Training Squadron activated on April 3, 2001. Falling under the command of the 479th Flying Training Group stationed at Moody AFB. It is augmented by AFRC's 39th FTS which is assigned to the 340th Flying Training Group.

The 3rd FTS is tasked with conducting initial pilot training. It mission is to provide primary flying training in the T-6A Texan II aircraft to produce the highest quality military pilots, officers, and leaders.

At full strength, the 3rd FTS is scheduled to have 180 members. It provides specialized undergraduate pilot training in the T-6 Texan.

The 3rd FTS has 40 PAA T-6 Texan II with an actual possible total inventory of 49 T-6 aircraft.

The 3rd Flying Training Squadron was originally organized as the 3rd Aero Squadron on 1 November 1916 at Ft Sam Houston, TX.

It was redesignated as Squadron A, Post Field, OK, on 22 July 1918. Before being demobilized on 2 January 1919, the squadron probably served as an observer training unit, while its aircraft inventory apparently included the R-4, JN-4, and the JN-6.

It was reconstituted, and consolidated in 1924 with a unit organized as the 3rd Aero Squadron on 13 May 1919 at Mitchel Field, NY, flying the DH-4. That unit was assigned to the Philippine Department on 18 August 1919; and to the 1st Observation (later, 4th Observation; 4th Composite) Group on 10 March 1920. It was redesignated as the 3rd Squadron on 14 March 1921, and as the 3rd Pursuit Squadron on 25 January 1923. In addition to the MB-3 (1923-1926), and the PW-9 (1926-1931), aircraft operated by the unit included the DH-4 during the period covering 1924-1931; the P-12 (c. 1930-1937); the O-2 and O-19 (1931-1937); and the P-26 (1937-1941).

The consolidated unit was redesignated as the 3d Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 6 December 1939. It was reassigned to the 24th Pursuit Group on 1 October 1941 and saw combat in the Philippines, from 8 December 1941-c. 1 May 1942. A ground echelon of the unit fought as infantry unit on Bataan, from 18 January-c. 8 April 1942. Besides teh P-26, teh 3rd also operated the P-35 (1941) and the P-40 (1941-1942). It carried as an active unit but was not operational from the fall of the Philippines to 2 April 1946, at which date it inactivated.

Redesignated as the 3rd Tactical Fighter Squadron on 12 March 1973, it reactivated on 15 March 1973 at Korat RTAFB, Thailand, as a unit of the 388th Tactical Fighter Wing and flying the A-7.

The 3rd saw combat in Southeast Asia, from 15 March-15 August 1973. It transitioned to the F-4 in 1975 and supported the evacuation of US personnel from Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and from Saigon, South Vietnam, in April 1975, as well as the recovery of the SS Mayaquez crew, in May 1975. It thereafter was reassigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing on 15 December 1975 (though attached to Thirteenth Air Force, 15-16 December 1975), relocating in the process to Clark AB, Philippines.

It was redesignated as the 3rd Fighter Training Squadron on 19 December 1991 upon its reassignment to the 343rd Wing and relocation to Eielson AFB, AK. From 1991-1993, the squadron flew the UH-1. It was reassigned to the 343d Operations Group on 1 February 1992. It inactivated on 20 August 1993.

Prior to being reactivated under the 479th FTG, the 3rd had been redesignated as the 3rd Flying Training Squadron on 14 February 1994, and last been reactivated on 1 April 1994 at Lackland AFB, TX, under the 12th Operations Group.