• Military Menu                       

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

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

50th Flying Training Squadron [50th FTS]

The advanced phase of undergraduate pilot training is conducted by the 50th Flying Training Squadron.

This phase consists of 109 hours of flight instruction in the Northrop T-38.

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.

The 50th Flying Training Squadron was originally constituted as the 50th Pursuit Squadron (Fighter) on 20 November 1940. It activated on 15 January 1941, at Hamilton Field, CA, and was assigned to the 14th Pursuit (later, 14th Fighter) Group, flying the P-40 aircraft. The squadron was tasked with conducting patrols on the west coast, from Febraury-June 1942.

Redesignated as the 50th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942, the squadron converted that same year to the P-38 aircraft. The squadron was tasked with the air defense of Iceland from August 1942-February 1944, operating from locations in Iceland and England. It was reassigned to the 342nd Composite Group on 14 November 1942.

Redesignated as the 50th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, on 28 February 1944 and assigned to Eighth Air Force, that same month (though attached to the 8th [later, 802d] Reconnaissance Group [Prov], starting in March 1944), the squadron was not operational during that time. The unit was disbanded on 9 August 1944.

The 50th was reconstituted and redesignated as the 50th Fighter Squadron (All Weather), on 23 May 1947. It activated in the Reserve on 12 June 1947 at Offutt Field (later, AFB), NE, under Second Air Force, flying the AT-6. It was reassigned to the 381st Bombardment Group on 30 September 1947 before inactivating on 27 June 1949.

It was redesignated as the 50th Flying Training Squadron on 22 March 1972 and reactivated on 1 June 1972 at Columbus AFB, MS. Assigned to the 14th Flying Training Wing, the 50th FTS began using the T-38 and was tasked with conducting undergraduate pilot training.

The 50th FTS was reassigned to the 14th Operations Group on 15 December 1991.