66th Training Squadron

The 66th Training Squadron is an active unit of the United States Air Force. Its current assignment is with the 336th Training Group at Fairchild Air Force Base where is performs the training for the SERE instructor course for the USAF.

66th Training Squadron
Students escape from a simulated crashed aircraft during water survival training
Active1942–1946; 1947–1951; 1971–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Rolesurvival training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQFairchild Air Force Base
Motto(s)Learn and Return
EngagementsSouthwest Pacific Theater
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
Insignia
66th Training Sq emblem[note 1]
66th Troop Carrier Squadron emblem[note 2][1]

History

World War II

During World War II, the squadron operated primarily in the Southwest Pacific Theater, conveying personnel, dropping parachutists, towing gliders, transporting cargo, munitions and evacuating casualties in numerous campaigns. The squadron earned both the United States Distinguished Unit Citation and the Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its combat operations.

Air Force reserve

As part of the Air Force Reserve during the postwar years, the squadron performed peacetime transport missions. Ordered to active service during the Korean War, the units' equipment and personnel were reassigned to Far East Air Force active duty units. It was then inactivated as a paper unit.

Survival training

The 3614th Combat Crew Training Squadron was activated at Clark Air Base, Philippines in April 1971, when Air Training Command assumed responsibility for operating th Jungle Survival School there from Pacific Air Forces.

Lineage

66th Troop Carrier Squadron
  • Constituted as the 66th Troop Carrier Squadron on 7 December 1942
Activated on 12 December 1942
Inactivated on 15 January 1946
  • Activated in the reserve on 3 August 1947
Redesignated the 66th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) on 27 June 1949.
Ordered to active service on 1 April 1951.
Inactivated on 17 April 1951[2]
  • Consolidated with the 3614th Combat Crew Training Squadron as the 66th Crew Training Squadron on 1 January 1993
66th Training Squadron
  • Designated as the 3614th Combat Crew Training Squadron
Organized on 1 April 1971
Consolidated with the 66th Troop Carrier Squadron as the 66th Crew Training Squadron on 1 January 1993
Redesignated 66th Training Squadron on 1 April 1994

Assignments

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. Originally approved for the 3614th Combat Crew Training Squadron.
  2. Approved 15 December 1944.
Cittions
  1. Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 249-250
  2. Lineage through May 1963 in Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 249-250.
  3. Mueller, p. 177

Bibliography

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

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