90th Flying Training Squadron

90th Flying Training Squadron
90th Flying Training Squadron 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
Nickname(s)	Burma Banshees (World War II)
Motto(s)	Bear Down
Engagements	China-Burma-India Theater
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Bryan McGuire
Insignia
90th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 19 January 1945)
Unofficial 90th Fighter Squadron emblem (CBI Theater

The 90th Flying 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

World War II

The 90th flew combat missions in the China Burma India Theater from 16 September 1943 – 29 April 1945. While stationed at Moran, India, on 8 June 1944, the squadron again received Republic P-47 Thunderbolts. It flew its first combat mission with Thunderbolts on 25 June, having transferred its Curtiss P-40 Warhawks to the depot in Karachi or to the 88th Fighter Squadron.

Pilot training

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

Lineage

• Constituted as the 90th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942

Activated on 9 February 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 1 July 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 28 February 1944

Inactivated on 3 November 1945

• Redesignated 90th Flying Training Squadron on 25 May 1972

Activated on 1 January 1973

Assignments

• 80th Fighter Group, 9 February 1942 – 3 November 1945
• 80th Flying Training Wing, 1 January 1973
• 80th Operations Group, 2 January 1998 – present)

Stations

• Selfridge Field, Michigan, 9 February 1942
• Newark Army Air Base, New Jersey, 24 June 1942
• LaGuardia Airport, New York, 27 August 1942
• Mitchel Field, New York, 27 February-30 April 1943
• Karachi, India, 28 June 1943
• Jorhat, India, c. 12 September 1943
• Moran, India, March 1944

• Tingkawk Sakan, Burma, 27 August 1944
• Myitkyina, Burma, 21 January 1945
• Moran, India, 5 May 1945
• Dudhkundi, India, 30 May-6 October 1945
• Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 1-3 November 1945
• Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, 1 January 1973 – present)

Aircraft

• Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1942–1943, 1944–1945)
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1943–1944)
• Northrop T-38 Talon (1973–present)

References

Bibliography

• 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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• 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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Pons, Gregory (Winter 2017). ""Burma Banshees" 90th Fighter Squadron P-47s". AAHS Journal. 62 (4). American Aviation Historical Society: 272–277.
• 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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.

External links

• 80th Flying Training Wing Heritage Pamphlet
• Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) Program Fact Sheet