71st Flying Training Wing

The wing was first activated at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa in August 1948 in the wing base reorganization of the United States Air Force, but was a viable entity for only a few days. Its tactical group was detached to the 32d Composite Wing and the wing had only one single reconnaissance squadron to perform photographic reconnaissance attached for its first week of existence. When the squadron was reassigned, the wing became non-operational and its manning was withdrawn. The wing was inactivated in late October.[2]

YF-84F docking with GRB-36

The wing was reactivated at Larson Air Force Base, Washington as the 71st Strategic Reconnaissance Wing. At Larson, it performed strategic reconnaissance and tested the FICON project to extend the range of photographic reconnaissance and fighter escort aircraft beginning in January 1955. FICON involved using an RF-84K, a version of the Republic RF-84F Thunderflash with a retractable "duck-bill" to enable it to be carried by a modified Convair B-36 Peacemaker to increase its range. The RF-84K was equipped with anhedral (downward-pointing) horizontal stabilizers to clear the bomb bay when in the stowed position.[7]

The tests revealed that the "parasite" concept was achievable but not practical. Hook-ups with the GRB-36 were nearly impossible to achieve in turbulence and would likely be unworkable under combat conditions. In addition, ground clearance with the fighter mounted was around 6 inches when the RF-84K was equipped with external fuel tanks. The problem of drag was even worse. The stowed fighter reduced the range of the GRB-36 by five to ten percent.[7]

In 1956 the entire FICON project was canceled, but the wing continued strategic reconnaissance until it was inactivated in 1957.[2]

The wing was activated again at Ent Air Force Base, Colorado as the 71st Surveillance Wing. It operated and maintained the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System, including sites in Alaska, Greenland, and England. It also operated the sea-launched ballistic missile detection and warning system and supported the USAF Spacetrack system, and monitored the over-the-horizon radar system, 1969–1971.[2]

Wing Cessna T-37[note 4]

The wing was redesignated the 71st Flying Training Wing and replaced the 3575th Pilot Training Wing at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma in November 1972, assuming control of the undergraduate pilot training for USAF, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and allied countries there. In addition, it supported the Accelerated Co-Pilot Enrichment (ACE) program at numerous operating locations between 1978 and 1991. The wing provided initial flight training, and follow-on training for fighter, bomber and airlift/tanker aircraft crews for USAF, US Navy, Marine Corps and allied forces.[2]

• 1st Air Division, 18 August – 25 October 1948 (attached to 32d Composite Wing after 24 August 1948)
• Fifteenth Air Force, 24 January 1955 – 1 July 1957
• Air Defense Command, 6 December 1961 (not organized)
• 9th Aerospace Defense Division, 1 January 1962
• Fourteenth Aerospace Force, 1 July 1968 – 30 April 1971
• Air Training Command (later Air Education and Training Command), 1 November 1972
• Nineteenth Air Force, 1 July 1993
• Air Education and Training Command, 12 July 2012
• Nineteenth Air Force, 1 October 2014 – present[2]

Groups

• 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group (later 71st Operations Group): 18 August – 25 October 1948 (attached to 32d Composite Wing); 15 December 1991 – present[2]

Squadrons

• 5th Flying Training Squadron: 16 February 1990 – 15 December 1991
• 7th Flying Training Squadron: 19 January 1990 – 15 December 1991
• 8th Flying Training Squadron: 1 November 1972 – 15 December 1991
• 12th Missile Warning Squadron, 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971

Thule Air Base, Greenland[8]

• 13th Missile Warning Squadron, 1 January 1967 – 30 April 1971[9]

Clear Air Force Station, Alaska[9]

• 23d Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron: attached 18–24 August 1948
• 25th Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron (later 25 Flying Training Squadron): 24 January 1955 – 1 July 1957; 1 November 1972 – 15 December 1991
• 26th Flying Training Squadron: 19 January 1990 – 15 December 1991
• 82d Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron: 24 January 1955 – 1 July 1957
• 91st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron: 24 January 1955 – 1 July 1957[2]

• Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, 18 August – 25 October 1948
• Larson Air Force Base, Washington, 24 January 1955 – 1 July 1957
• Ent Air Force Base, Colorado, 1 January 1962
• McGuire Air Force Base, New Jersey, 21 July 1969 – 30 April 1971
• Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma, 1 November 1972 – present[2]

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

• Cornett, Lloyd H; Johnson, Mildred W (1980). A Handbook of Aerospace Defense Organization, 1946 – 1980 (PDF). Peterson AFB, CO: Office of History, Aerospace Defense Center. Archived from the original (PDF) on 23 November 2006. Retrieved 23 March 2012.
• Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ASIN B000113MB2. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
• 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.