435th Fighter Training Squadron

The 435th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Northrop AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

435th Fighter Training Squadron
A 435th Fighter Training Squadron fighter candidate adjusts her mask and helmet before a training flight
Active1943–1945; 1952–1974; 1977–1991; 1993–1997; 1998–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter Pilot Training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQRandolph Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Deadly Black Eagles
Motto(s)Establish Dominance
EngagementsEuropean Theater of Operations, Vietnam War[1]
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
French Croix de Guerre with Palm
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm[1]
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col John "HoBS" Matchett
Insignia
435th Fighter Training Squadron emblem (approved 20 March 1945)[1]
435th Fighter Sq emblem (approved 25 February 1944)[2]

Mission

The 435 FTS conducts initial instructor and student flying training for over 130 U.S. Air Force and international pilots and Weapon System Operators annually in Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals. The squadron develops students' proficiency, confidence, discipline, judgment, and situational awareness of basic fighter employment. Additionally, the squadron deploys to support fighter syllabus/operational training requirements for Dissimilar Air Combat Training.[3]

History

World War II

The 435th flew air defense prior to overseas duty then flew combat in the European Theater of Operations from, 26 May 1944 – 25 April 1945.

Vietnam War

F-104C Starfighter, AF Ser. No. 57-0914, 435 TFS, 1965 George Air Force Base California. This aircraft was deployed to Ubon RTAFB, Thailand in 1966 and assigned to 8 TFW. It crashed due to engine failure over Thailand on 16 January 1967. This Film was used in the Opening teaser of the Star Trek series episode Tomorrow Is Yesterday.
F-104s of the 435 TFS on the Da Nang flightline – 1965
435th TFS F-104Cs over Southeast Asia, October 1966
435th Tactical Fighter Squadron Phantom II[note 1]

A detachment operated under the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing detachment at Udorn RTAFB, Thailand, 5 Jun-c. 23 July 1966 It conducted air defense in Southeast Asia from, 12 October-20 December 1965 and combat sorties from, July 1966-15 August 1973.

Training

The squadron trained fighter pilots and weapon systems officers between January 1977 and February 1991. It conducted training for Taiwan Air Force pilots from, May 1993-c. 31 December 1995 and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training for international students from, 1998–2004.[1]

Lineage

  • Constituted as the 435th Fighter Squadron (Two Engine) on 12 October 1943
Activated on 15 October 1943
Redesignated 435th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 5 September 1944
Inactivated on 15 December 1945
  • Redesignated 435th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 15 October 1952
Activated on 1 December 1952
Redesignated 435th Fighter-Day Squadron on 15 February 1954
Redesignated 435th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 July 1958
Inactivated 8 August 1974
  • Redesignated 435th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron on 22 October 1976
Activated on 1 January 1977
Inactivated on 19 February 1991
  • Redesignated 435th Fighter Squadron on 1 May 1993
Activated on 12 May 1993
Inactivated on 1 April 1997
  • Redesignated 435th Flying Training Squadron on 2 April 1998
Activated on 14 May 1998
  • Redesignated 435th Fighter Training Squadron on 19 May 2003[1]

Assignments

Attached to Air Proving Ground Command, 26 July–6 September 1955)
Attached to
16th Air Force, 7 December 1960 – c. 15 April 1961
86th Air Division, 19 September 1961 – 22 January 1962, 17 October–c. 30 November 1962
65th Air Division, 15 December 1960 – 14 April 1961, 3 August–17 October 1962, 30 November–19 December 1962, 30 March–23 June 1964
2d Air Division, 12 October–20 December 1965

Stations

Deployed to:
Naval Air Station Keflavik, 1 December 1952 – 27 March 1953
North Auxiliary Airfield, South Carolina, 26 July–6 September 1955
Morón Air Base, Spain, 7 December 1960–c. 15 April 1961, 3 August–17 October 1962, c. 30 November–19 December 1962, 30 March–23 June 1964
Ramstein Air Base, Germany, 19 September 1961 – 22 January 1962
Hahn Air Base, Germany, 17 October–c. 30 November 1962
Da Nang Air Base, South Vietnam and Kung Kuan Air Base, Taiwan, 12 October–20 December 1965

Aircraft


References

Notes
  1. Aircraft is McDonnell F-4D-29-MC Phantom II serial 66-234 with laser-guided bombs on a mission north. This aircraft survived the war and eventually was sent to the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Center for scrapping 29 September 1989.
Citations
  1. Robertson, Patsy (10 May 2010). "Factsheet 435 Fighter Training Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
  2. Endicott, p. 807
  3. "12 OG Fact Sheet". Archived from the original on 1 December 2008. Retrieved 24 November 2008.
  4. Station number in Anderson.

Bibliography

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