35th Flying Training Squadron

The 35th Flying Training Squadron was a United States Air Force unit, last assigned to the 64th Operations Group at Reese Air Force Base, Texas. The squadron was inactivated in 1996 as the 64th Flying Training Wing began drawing down in preparation for the closing of Reese the following year. The squadron had performed Undergraduate pilot training at Reese since 1972.

35th Flying Training Squadron
T-37 as flown by the squadron
Active1942–1945; 1952–1954; 1963–1971; 1972–1996
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFlying training
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations
Mediterranean Theater of Operations
China-Burma-India Theater
Vietnam War
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
35th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 20 February 1973)[1][note 1][2]
35th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem (approved 15 July 1954)[3][note 2]

The squadron was first activated as the 64th Transport Squadron in 1942. As the 64th Troop Carrier Squadron it participated in combat in the European, Mediterranean and China-Burma-India Theaters, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation. Following VE Day, the squadron moved to Trinidad, where it was inactivated in July 9145.

History

World War II
C47 releases rations near Myitkyina, Burma

The squadron was first activated in February 1942 as the 35th Transport Squadron at Olmsted Field, Pennsylvania and equipped with military models of the Douglas DC-3, primarily the C-47 Skytrain, for training. In June, the squadron moved to Westover Field, Massachusetts, where it was assigned to the 64th Transport Group and prepared for overseas movement, which occurred the following month, after it was redesignated the 35th Troop Carrier Squadron.[2]

Upon its arrival overseas, the squadron trained with paratrooper and glider units in airborne operations for Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. On 10 November the air echelon flew from England via Gibraltar and on the following day landed personnel of the British 3rd Parachute Battalion at Maison Blanche (now Dar El Beïda), near Algiers. By mid-December, the squadron's ground echelon joined the air echelon at Blida Airfield, Algeria.[4]

The group dropped paratroops to capture airfields and destroy bridges, during the battle for Tunisia; Operation Husky, the invasion of Sicily in July 1943; and Operation Avalanche, the invasion of Italy in September 1943.[4]

In April 1944, most of the squadron was detached to India where it aided in the Allied offensive in Burma, where it earned a Distinguished Unit Citation. The squadron returned to Sicily in mid-Jun 1944. It moved to Italy the following month and participated in Operation Dragoon , the assault on southern France in August 1944, releasing gliders and paratroops. It moved to Waller Field, Trinidad without aircraft, in June 1945 and inactivated there in July 1945.[4][2]

Cold War and War in Vietnam
Paratroopers jump from a C-82
C-119 Flying Boxcar
C-130 Hercules in South Vietnam

The squadron was again activated at Donaldson Air Force Base, South Carolina in July 1952, assuming the Fairchild C-82 Packets and personnel of the 57th Troop Carrier Squadron, an Air Force Reserve unit that had been called to active duty for the Korean War. In 1953, the 35th replaced its C-82s with newer Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcars. The squadron transported personnel and equipment worldwide and participated in joint training operations with the 82nd Airborne Division until it was inactivated in July 1954.[4][2]

The squadron transported cargo and personnel in the Far East and Southeast Asia, 1963–1971[2]

Pilot training

The squadron was redesignated the 35th Flying Training Squadron and activated at Reese Air Force Base, Texas in 1972. It conducted undergraduate pilot training at Reese until it was inactivated in 1996.[2]

Lineage
  • Constituted as the 35th Transport Squadron on 2 February 1942
Activated on 14 February 1942
Redesignated 35th Troop Carrier Squadron on 4 July 1942
Inactivated on 31 July 1945
  • Redesignated 35th Troop Carrier Squadron, Medium on 3 July 1952
Activated on 14 July 1952
Inactivated on 21 July 1954
  • Activated on 20 December 1962 (not organized)
Organized on 8 January 1963
Redesignated 35th Troop Carrier Squadron on 8 December 1965
Redesignated 35th Tactical Airlift Squadron on 1 August 1967
Inactivated on 31 March 1971
  • Redesignated 35th Flying Training Squadron on 14 April 1972
Activated on 1 October 1972[2]
Inactivated on 31 July 1996[5]

Assignments
64th Operations Group, 15 December 1991 – 31 July 1996[5]

Stations

Aircraft
  • Douglas C-47 Skytrain, 1942–1945
  • Fairchild C-82 Packet, 1952–1953
  • Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar, 1953–1954
  • C-130A Hercules, 1963–1971
  • Cessna T-37 Tweet, 1972–1996[2][5]

Awards and campaigns
Award streamerAwardDatesNotes
Distinguished Unit Citation7 April 1944-15 June 1944CBI Theater 35th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Presidential Unit Citation8 August 1967-7 August 1968Southeast Asia 35th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 July 1964-30 April 196635th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award8 August 1966-7 August 196735th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1974-31 December 197535th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award30 April 1981-29 April 198335th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award30 April 1983-31 December 198435th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 January 1985-31 March 198635th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1987-31 March 198935th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award1 April 1988-31 March 199035th Flying Training Squadron[2]
Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm8 August 1966-31 March 197135th Troop Carrier Squadron (later 35th Tactical Airlift Squadron)[2]
Campaign Streamer Campaign Dates Notes
American Theater without inscription4 June 1945 – 31 July 194535th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Tunisia12 November 1942 – 13 May 194335th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Sicily14 May 1943 – 17 August 194335th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Naples-Foggia18 August 1943 – 21 January 194435th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Rome-Arno22 January 1944 – 9 September 194435th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Southern France15 August 1944 – 14 September 194435th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
North Apennines10 September 1944 – 4 April 194535th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
Po Valley3 April 1945 – 8 May 194535th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]
India-Burma7 April 1944 – 15 June 194435th Troop Carrier Squadron[2]

References

Notes
  1. Description: Azure, two ribbons barbed, each arcing from base doubled in chief braced and arcing back to base Or, between five mullets one, two, Or, and two Argent
  2. Description: On a disc light sky blue, border green, over the disc a lightning bolt re, point downward, between two sylized clouds white in base; the bold surmounted by a caricatured US mule, dark gray, riding a paradrop platform and pulling forward a drag chute, shades of white; the mule, platform and parachute outlined dark gray.

Citations
  1. Endicott, p. 530
  2. No byline (10 December 2007). "Factsheet 35 Flying Training Squadron". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 18 March 2016.
  3. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 170–171
  4. Robertson, Patsy (23 October 2008). "Factsheet 64 Air Expeditionary Group (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  5. See AFHRA Factsheet, 64 Air Expeditionary Group. (relieved of assignment to the 64th Operations Group).
  6. Station number in Anderson.
  7. Station number in Johnson.

Bibliography

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