14th Flying Training Wing
Encyclopedia
- See 14th Operations Group14th Operations GroupThe 14th Operations Group is the flying component of the 14th Flying Training Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command...
for complete lineage and timeline information.
The 14th Flying Training Wing (14 FTW) is a wing
Wing (air force unit)
Wing is a term used by different military aviation forces for a unit of command. The terms wing, group or Staffel are used for different-sized units from one country or service to another....
of the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
based out of Columbus Air Force Base
Columbus Air Force Base
Columbus Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately north of Columbus, Mississippi.The host unit at Columbus is the 14th Flying Training Wing assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. The 14 FTW's mission is to provide specialized...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
Mission
The 14th Operations Group14th Operations Group
The 14th Operations Group is the flying component of the 14th Flying Training Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command...
and its six squadrons are responsible for the 52-week Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training (SUPT) mission. The group also performs quality assurance for contract aircraft maintenance.
The 14th Mission Support Group provides essential services with a 5-squadron/2-division, 750+ person work force and $38 million budget. It operates/maintains facilities and infrastructure for a 6013 acres (24.3 km²) pilot training base and provides contracting, law enforcement, supply, transportation, fire protection, communications, education, recreation and personnel management for 9,500 people. The group is also responsible for wartime preparedness and contingency operations.
Units
14th Operations Group14th Operations Group
The 14th Operations Group is the flying component of the 14th Flying Training Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command...
(14 OG)
- 37th Flying Training Squadron37th Flying Training SquadronThe 37th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
(37 FTS) - 41st Flying Training Squadron41st Flying Training SquadronThe 41st Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.-Mission:...
(41 FTS) - 43d Flying Training Squadron43d Flying Training SquadronThe 43d Flying Training Squadron is part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the reserve associate to the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi...
(43 FTS) - 48th Flying Training Squadron48th Flying Training SquadronThe 48th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-1 Jayhawk aircraft conducting flight training.-History:...
(48 FTS) - 49th Fighter Training Squadron49th Fighter Training SquadronThe 49th Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-World War II:...
(49 FTS) - 50th Flying Training Squadron50th Flying Training SquadronThe 50th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.-History:...
(50 FTS) - 14th Operations Support Squadron (14 OSS)
14th Mission Support Group (14 MSG)
- 14th Civil Engineering Squadron (14 CES)
- 14th Communications Squadron (14 CS)
- 14th Contracting Squadron (14 CONS)
- 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron (14 LRS)
- 14th Security Forces Squadron (14 SFS)
- 14th Mission Support Squadron (14 MSS)
14th Medical Group (14 MDG)
Additionally, the 14th Comptroller Squadron (14 CPTS) reports directly to the 14 TFW.
Lineage
- Established as 14th Fighter Wing on 29 July 1947
- Organized on 15 August 1947
- Inactivated on 2 October 1949
- Redesignated 14th Air Commando Wing, and activated, on 28 February 1966
- Organized on 8 March 1966
- Redesignated 14th Special Operations Wing on 1 August 1968
- Inactivated on 30 September 1971
- Redesignated 14th Flying Training Wing on 22 March 1972
- Activated on 1 June 1972
Assignments
- First Air ForceFirst Air ForceThe First Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Air Combat Command . It is headquartered at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida....
, 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949 - Pacific Air Forces, 28 February 1966
- 2d Air Division, 8 March 1966
- Seventh Air ForceSeventh Air ForceThe Seventh Air Force is a numbered air force of the United States Air Force Pacific Air Forces . It is headquartered at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea....
, 1 April 1966 – 30 September 1971 - Air Training (later, Air Education and Training) CommandAir Training CommandAir Training Command is a former major command of the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force. ATC came into being as a redesignation of the Army Air Forces Training Command on July 1, 1946...
, 1 June 1972 - Nineteenth Air ForceNineteenth Air ForceThe Nineteenth Air Force is a Numbered Air Force of the United States Air Force headquartered at Randolph Air Force Base and belonging to the Air Education and Training Command...
, 1 July 1993–present
Components
Group- 14th Fighter (later, 14th Operations)14th Operations GroupThe 14th Operations Group is the flying component of the 14th Flying Training Wing, assigned to the United States Air Force Air Education and Training Command...
: 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949; 15 December 1991–present
Squadrons
- 1st Air Commando: 8 March 1966 – 20 December 1967
- 3d Air Commando (later, 3d Special Operations): 1 May 1968 – 15 September 1969
- 4th Air Commando (later, 4th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 15 December 1969
- 5th Air Commando (later, 5th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 15 October 1969
- 6th Air Commando: 29 February – 15 July 1968
- 9th Air Commando (later, 9th Special Operations): 25 January 1967 – 30 September 1971
- 14th Air Commando: 25 October 1967 – 1 May 1968
- 15th Air Commando (later, 15th Special Operations): 15 March 1968 – 31 October 1970
- 17th Special Operations: 1 June 1969 – 30 September 1971
- 18th Special Operations: 1 October 1969 – 25 August 1971
- 20th Air Commando (later, 20th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 1 September 1971
- 37th Flying Training: 1 June 1972 – 15 December 1991
- 42d Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
- 43d Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
- 49th Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
- 50th Flying Training: 1 June 1972 – 15 December 1991
- 71st Special Operations: 20 December 1968 – 10 June 1969
- 90th Special Operations: 31 October 1970 – 1 September 1971
- 602d Air Commando: 8 March 1966 – 8 April 1967
- 604th Air Commando (later, 604th Special Operations): 15 November 1967 – 1 March 1970 (detached)
- 3588th Flying Training: 1 October 1990 – 18 October 1991
Stations
- Dow Field (later, AFB), MaineMaineMaine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949 - Nha Trang AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 8 March 1966 - Phan Rang AB, South VietnamSouth VietnamSouth Vietnam was a state which governed southern Vietnam until 1975. It received international recognition in 1950 as the "State of Vietnam" and later as the "Republic of Vietnam" . Its capital was Saigon...
, 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971 - Columbus AFB, MississippiMississippiMississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, 1 June 1972–present
Aircraft operated
- F-84 ThunderjetF-84 ThunderjetThe Republic F-84 Thunderjet was an American turbojet fighter-bomber aircraft. Originating as a 1944 United States Army Air Forces proposal for a "day fighter", the F-84 flew in 1946...
(1947–1949) - A-1 SkyraiderA-1 SkyraiderThe Douglas A-1 Skyraider was an American single-seat attack aircraft that saw service between the late 1940s and early 1980s. It became a piston-powered, propeller-driven anachronism in the jet age, and was nicknamed "Spad", after a French World War I fighter...
(1966–1968) - AC-47 SpookyAC-47 SpookyThe Douglas AC-47 Spooky was the first in a series of gunships developed by the United States Air Force during the Vietnam War...
(1966–1969) - C-47 SkytrainC-47 SkytrainThe Douglas C-47 Skytrain or Dakota is a military transport aircraft that was developed from the Douglas DC-3 airliner. It was used extensively by the Allies during World War II and remained in front line operations through the 1950s with a few remaining in operation to this day.-Design and...
(1966–1971) - HC-47 (1966–1969)
- U-10 Super CourierHelio CourierThe Helio Courier is a light C/STOL utility aircraft designed in 1949.Around 500 of these aircraft were manufactured in Pittsburg, Kansas from 1954 until 1974 by the Helio Aircraft Company. During the early 1980s, new owners made an attempt to build new aircraft with direct-drive Lycoming engines,...
(1966–1969) - CH-3 Jolly Green GiantSikorsky S-61RThe Sikorsky S-61R is a twin-engine helicopter used in transport or search and rescue roles. A developed version of the S-61/SH-3 Sea King, the S-61R was also built under license by Agusta as the AS-61R...
(1966–1969) - O-2 SkymasterO-2 SkymasterThe O-2 Skymaster is a military version of the Cessna 337 Super Skymaster utilized as an observation and forward air control aircraft...
(1967–1971) - UH-1 IroquoisUH-1 IroquoisThe Bell UH-1 Iroquois is a military helicopter powered by a single, turboshaft engine, with a two-bladed main rotor and tail rotor. The helicopter was developed by Bell Helicopter to meet the United States Army's requirement for a medical evacuation and utility helicopter in 1952, and first flew...
(1967–1971) - C-130E(I) Combat Talon (1968–1971)
- C-123 ProviderC-123 ProviderThe C-123 Provider was an American military transport aircraft designed by Chase Aircraft and subsequently built by Fairchild Aircraft for the United States Air Force...
(1968–1971) - AC-130 SpectreLockheed AC-130The Lockheed AC-130 gunship is a heavily-armed ground-attack aircraft variant of the C-130 Hercules transport plane. The basic airframe is manufactured by Lockheed, while Boeing is responsible for the conversion into a gunship and for aircraft support...
(1968) - AC-119G Shadow /AC-119K StingerFairchild AC-119|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Hobson, Chris. "Vietnam Air Losses, USAF/USN/USMC, Fixed-Wing Aircraft Losses in Southeast Asia, 1961-1973." North Branch, Minnesota: Specialty Press, 2001. ISBN 1-85780-1156....
(1968–1971) - T-41 MescaleroT-41 MescaleroThe Cessna T-41 Mescalero is a military version of the popular Cessna 172 used by the United States Air Force and Army as well as the armed forces of various other countries as a pilot training aircraft.-Design and development:...
(1972–1973) - T-37Cessna T-37The Cessna T-37 Tweet is a small, economical twin-engine jet trainer-attack type aircraft which flew for decades as a primary trainer for the United States Air Force and in the air forces of several other nations...
(1972–2008) - T-38 TalonT-38 TalonThe Northrop T-38 Talon is a twin-engine supersonic jet trainer. It was the world's first supersonic trainer and is also the most produced. The T-38 remains in service as of 2011 in air forces throughout the world....
(1972–present) - AT-38 Talon (1993–2000 and 2007–present)
- T-1 Jayhawk (1996–present)
- T-6 Texan IIT-6 Texan IIThe Beechcraft T-6 Texan II is a single-engined turboprop aircraft built by the Raytheon Aircraft Company . Based on the Pilatus PC-9, the T-6 is used by the United States Air Force for basic pilot training and by the United States Navy for Primary and Intermediate Joint Naval Flight Officer and...
(2006–present)
Operational history
The unit was redesignated as the 14th Air Commando Wing and was reactivated at Nha Trang AB Republic of Vietnam on 8 March 1966. On 1 August 1968 it was renamed the 14th Special Operations Wing and was the host unit at the base until 30 September 1971. From 15 October 1969 through 30 September 1971 the 14th SOW also operated and conducted missions from Phan Rang Air Base
Phan Rang Air Base
Phan Rang Air Base is a Vietnam People's Air Force military airfield in Vietnam. It is located north-northwest of Phan Rang-Thap Cham in Ninh Thuan Province....
Republic of Vietnam
Operations included close
Close air support
In military tactics, close air support is defined as air action by fixed or rotary winged aircraft against hostile targets that are close to friendly forces, and which requires detailed integration of each air mission with fire and movement of these forces.The determining factor for CAS is...
and direct air support, interdiction, combat airlift
Airlift
Airlift is the act of transporting people or cargo from point to point using aircraft.Airlift may also refer to:*Airlift , a suction device for moving sand and silt underwater-See also:...
, aerial resupply, visual and photographic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare
Unconventional warfare is the opposite of conventional warfare. Where conventional warfare is used to reduce an opponent's military capability, unconventional warfare is an attempt to achieve military victory through acquiescence, capitulation, or clandestine support for one side of an existing...
, counterinsurgency operations, psychological warfare
Psychological warfare
Psychological warfare , or the basic aspects of modern psychological operations , have been known by many other names or terms, including Psy Ops, Political Warfare, “Hearts and Minds,” and Propaganda...
(including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting), forward air control
Forward air control
Forward air control is the provision of guidance to Close Air Support aircraft intended to ensure that their attack hits the intended target and does not injure friendly troops. This task is carried out by a forward air controller . For NATO forces the qualifications and experience required to be...
operations and escort, search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...
, escort for convoy and defoliation operations, flare
Flare (pyrotechnic)
A flare, also sometimes called a fusee, is a type of pyrotechnic that produces a brilliant light or intense heat without an explosion. Flares are used for signalling, illumination, or defensive countermeasures in civilian and military applications...
drops, civic actions, and humanitarian
Humanitarian aid
Humanitarian aid is material or logistical assistance provided for humanitarian purposes, typically in response to humanitarian crises including natural disaster and man-made disaster. The primary objective of humanitarian aid is to save lives, alleviate suffering, and maintain human dignity...
actions.
The 14th Air Commando Wing distinguished itself by extraordinary heroism, exceptional gallantry and outstanding performance of duty in action against hostile forces in Southeast Asia from 8 March 1966 to 7 March 1967, earning a Presidential Unit Citation
Presidential Unit Citation
The Presidential Unit Citation is a senior unit award granted to military units which have performed an extremely meritorious or heroic act, usually in the face of an armed enemy...
. Flying thousands of widely diversified sorties, elements of the Wing caused many enemy casualties and destroyed or damaged more than 8,500 structures, 500 trucks and 60 fuel sites as well as numerous automatic weapon positions, radio stations, bridges and boats.
Flying the venerable C-47 aircraft, one squadron of the Wing helped abort a large number of night hostile operations against friendly forts and hamlets through flare drops and minigun saturation fire. Despite the often heavy and accurate enemy antiaircraft fire, the search and rescue missions of the Wing recovered 91 skilled airmen during this period. In addition, the Wing's psychological warfare missions directly or indirectly influenced the surrender of thousands of enemy soldiers.
The wing also provided maintenance support for a number of tenants. The wing trained Vietnam Air Force
Vietnam Air Force
The Vietnam Air Force began with a few hand-picked men chosen to fly alongside French pilots during the State of Vietnam era. It eventually grew into the world’s sixth largest air force at the height of its power, in 1974...
(VNAF) personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, February–August 1971, and transferred some of its A C-119s to the VNAF, August–September 1971 as part of a phase-down for inactivation.
Air Training/Air Education and Training Command
The 14th replaced, and absorbed resources of, the 3650th Pilot Training Wing in June 1972 at Columbus Air Force BaseColumbus Air Force Base
Columbus Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located approximately north of Columbus, Mississippi.The host unit at Columbus is the 14th Flying Training Wing assigned to the Air Education and Training Command Nineteenth Air Force. The 14 FTW's mission is to provide specialized...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
, and assumed an undergraduate pilot training program, plus base operations and maintenance.