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97th Flying Training Squadron [97th FTS]

The 97th Flying Training Squadron is a subordinate unit to the 340th Flying Training Group. The 97th is a Reserve Associate unit to Air Education and Training Command and is located at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, TX. The 97th Flying Training Squadron trains and provides a reserve of experienced instructor pilots to augment the active duty instructor pilot force in the event of wartime mobilization conditions.

The 97th Flying Training Squadron traces its origins to the 97th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor), constituted at Harding Field, LA, on 13 January 1942. The unit was equipped with the P-38 "Lightning" and began training its new crews on the aircraft. Part of the preparation moved the unit to Muroc, CA, and Long Beach, CA, before deploying on 16 September 1942 for duty in Europe in support of allied efforts in World War II.

Re-designated the 97th Fighter Squadron and assigned under 82nd Fighter Group, the unit arrived at Elington, North Ireland, on 5 October 1942. On 25 December 1942, the unit saw its first combat mission over the skies of Algeria while stationed at Tafaraoui, Algeria. Continuing to move with the allied advance, the unit relocated to Telergma, Algeria on 1 January 1943; Berteaux, Algeria on 28 March 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Algeria on 13 June 1943; Grombalia, Tunisia on 4 August 1943. The unit then moved to Gerbini, Sicily on 6 September 1943; San Pancrazio, Italy on 3 October 1943; Lecce, Italy on 10 October 1943; Vicenzo, Italy on 11 January 1944; Lesina, Italy on 30 Aug 1944 until the end of the war. Unit campaign streamers from this period include Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-France, Rome-Arno, Southern France, North Apennines, Po Valley, Air Offensive, Europe, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, EAME Theater, and Air Combat.

The 97th Fighter Squadron then moved to Grenier Field (later named Grenier AFB), NH, on 12 April 1947 and began flying the P- (later F) 51 "Mustang".

In Dec 1950 the unit moved to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, as part of the 142nd Fighter-Interceptor Group. In 1951 the unit converted to the F-86 "Dog Sabre," which it flew until 1955.

In August 1955 the unit returned to the 82nd Fighter Group (Air defense), and moved to New Castle County Airport, DE, flying the F-94 "Starfire". Here it was designated the 97th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron. It deactivated 8 January 1958.

On 1 February 1973, the unit re-activated and on 22 June 1973 was re-designated the 97th Flying Training Squadron, under the 82nd Flying Training Wing at Williams AFB, AZ. Here it trained USAF pilots to fly T-38 supersonic jet aircraft until the base's closure in 1993.

In April 1998 the 97th activated in the Air Force Reserves at Sheppard AFB to provide associated instructor pilots to the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program.

During daily operations, the 97th augments the training of students in Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF). The 97th operates in a multinational environment working with the 80th Flying Training Wing to continuously improve the aviation excellence, cultural awareness, and interoperability of instructor pilots and future pilots of the NATO Alliance.

Instructors in the 97th Flying Training Squadron fly the T-37, T-38, and AT-38 aircraft to graduate the highest quality fighter pilots for the NATO Alliance.

The mission of the 97th Flying Training Squadron is to provide a reserve of experienced instructor pilots to augment the Air Education and Training Command instructor pilot cadre in the event of wartime mobilization conditions.