88th Fighter Training Squadron

88th Fighter Training Squadron
88th Fighter Training Squadron
	Squadron Northrop T-38 Talon
Active	1942–1945; 1973-present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Pilot Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Sheppard Air Force Base
Engagements	China-Burma-India Theater
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation ; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
88th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 18 July 1995)

The 88th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 80th Flying Training Wing based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

History edit

World War II edit

The 88th flew combat missions in the China Burma India Theater from, 1 October 1943 – 28 April 1945.^[1]

Flying training edit

It conducted undergraduate pilot training for US and allied students from, 1973–1981 and has been part of the Euro-NATO Joint Pilot Training Program since October 1981.^[1]

Operations edit

World War II^[1]
Constituted as the 88th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942

Activated on 9 February 1942

Redesignated 88th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 88th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 1 July 1942

Redesignated 88th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 28 February 1944

Inactivated on 3 November 1945

Redesignated 88th Flying Training Squadron on 25 May 1972

Activated on 1 Jan 1973

Redesignated 88th Fighter Training Squadron' on 18 October 2007^[1]

Assignments edit

80th Fighter Group, 9 February 1942 – 3 November 1945
80th Flying Training Wing, 1 January 1973
80th Operations Group, 2 January 1988 – present^[1]

Stations edit

Selfridge Field, Michigan, 9 February 1942
Bridgeport Army Air Field, Connecticut, 25 June 1942
Farmingdale, New York, 2 September 1942
Mitchel Field, New York, 9 March – 30 April 1943
Karachi, India, 28 June 1943
Guskhara Airfield, India, c. 16 August 1943
Nagaghuli Airfield, India, 15 October 1943

Mokelbari, India, c. October 1943
Shingbwiyang, Burma, 3 May 1944 (detachment operated from Myitkyina, Burma, May – 20 August 1944)
Myitkyina, Burma, c. 23 January 1945
Moran, India, 3 May 1945
Dudhkundi Airfield, India, 29 May – 6 October 1945
Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 1 – 3 November 1945
Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, 1 January 1973 – present)^[1]

Aircraft edit

Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1942–1943, 1944–1945)
Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1943–1944)
Cessna T-37 Tweet (1973–1993)
Northrop T-38 Talon (1981 – present)^[1]

References edit

Notes

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Kane, Robert B. (11 June 2009). "Factsheet 88 Fighter Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 15 October 2016.

Bibliography edit

Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979.
Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9.