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{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2019}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Infobox military unit
|unit_name= 14th Flying Training Wing
|image= [[Image:14th Flying Training Wing.jpg|200px]]
| unit_name = 14th Flying Training Wing[[File:Air Education and Training Command.svg|center|60px]]
| image = T-38C Formation.jpg
|caption=
| image_size = 290
|dates= November 20, 1940 – present
| caption = Northrop T-38C formation from the 50th Flying Training Squadron<ref group=note>Northrop T-38C Talons serials 66-4327, 68–8162 and 68-8187 are identifiable.</ref>
|country=[[United States]]
| dates = 1947–1949; 1966–1971; 1972–present
|allegiance=
| country = {{USA}}
|branch=[[United States Air Force|Air Force]]
| branch = {{air force|USA}}
|type=[[Training]]
| type =
|role=
| role = Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)
|size=
| size =
|command_structure=[[Air Education and Training Command]]
| command_structure = [[Air Education and Training Command]]
|current_commander=[[Colonel (United States)|Colonel]] [http://www.columbus.af.mil/library/biographies/bio.asp?id=11384 Roger Watkins]
|garrison=[[Columbus Air Force Base]]
* [[Nineteenth Air Force]]
| garrison = [[Columbus Air Force Base]]
|ceremonial_chief=
| nickname = Team Blaze
|colonel_of_the_regiment=
| patron =
|nickname=Blaze
| motto = "Cultivate Airman, Create Pilots and Connect"
|patron=
| colors =
|motto=Day and Night - Peace and War
| march =
|colors=
| mascot =
|identification_symbol=
| battles = [[Vietnam War]]
|march=
| anniversaries =
|mascot=
| decorations = [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)]] <br />[[Air Force Meritorious Unit Award]]<br />[[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award]] with [[Combat "V" Device]]<br /> Air Force Outstanding Unit Award<br/>[[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross|Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm]]
|battles=<center>[[Image:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;[[Image:European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign ribbon.svg|60px]]&nbsp;[[Image:Vietnam Service Ribbon.svg|60px]]</center>
| battle_honours = <!-- Insignia -->
* World War II
| notable_commanders = [[Robert H. Foglesong]]
: European Campaign (1942–1945)
| identification_symbol = [[File:14th Flying Training Wingnewemblem.PNG|165px]]
* Vietnam Service (1966–1971)
| identification_symbol_label = 14th Flying Training Wing emblem <small>(approved 19 June 1967, restored 21 December 2007)</small><ref name=14FTWfacts>{{cite web |url= http://www.afhra.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/432224/14-flying-training-wing-aetc/ |last1=Robertson|first1=Patsy|title=Factsheet 14 Flying Training Wing (AETC)|date=23 August 2011|publisher=Air Force Historical Research Agency|access-date=24 October 2016}}</ref>
|notable_commanders= [[Robert H. Foglesong]]
| identification_symbol_2 = [[File:14th Flying Training Wing.png|165px]]
|anniversaries=
| identification_symbol_2_label = 14th Flying Training Wing <small>(approved 16 September 1994)</small><ref name=14FTWfacts/>
|decorations= [[Image:Presidential Unit Citation ribbon.svg|75 px]] [[Presidential Unit Citation (United States)|PUC]] <BR> [[Image:Air Force Meritorious Unit ribbon.svg|75 px]] [[Meritorious Unit Citation|MUA]] <BR> [[Image:Outstanding Unit ribbon.svg|75 px]] [[Air Force Outstanding Unit Award|AFOUA]] <BR> [[Image:GallantryCrossRibbon.jpg|75 px]] [[Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross|RVGC w/ Palm]]
| current_commander = [[Colonel (United States)|Col.]] Justin T. Grieve
|battle_honours=
| commander2 = Col. Jonathan Cato
| commander2_label = Deputy Commander
| commander3 = [[Command Chief Master Sergeant|CMSgt]] Todd R. Rosenzweig
| commander3_label = Command Chief
| ceremonial_chief =
| colonel_of_the_regiment =
}}
}}
[[Image:T-38C Formation.jpg|thumb|Northrup T-38C formation from the 50th Flying Training Squadron. 66-4327, 68-8162 and 68-8187 identifiable.]]
The '''14th Flying Training Wing''' ('''14 FTW''') is a [[wing (air force unit)|wing]] of the [[United States Air Force]] based out of [[Columbus Air Force Base]], [[Mississippi]].


The '''14th Flying Training Wing''' is a [[wing (air force unit)|wing]] of the [[United States Air Force]] based out of [[Columbus Air Force Base]], [[Mississippi]].
==Mission==
The 14th Operations Group 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 {{convert|6013|acre|km2|sing=on}} 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.
The [[14th Operations Group]] and its six squadrons are responsible for the 52-week Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) 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&nbsp;million budget. It operates/maintains facilities and infrastructure for a {{convert|6013|acre|km2|adj=on}} 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.

==History==
===Air Defense===
The 14th Fighter Wing was established on 29 July 1947. It provided air defense for the northeastern United States, 1947–1949.<ref name=14FTWfacts/>

===Vietnam War===
[[File:Fairchild AC-119G Shadow of the 17th SOS at Phù Cát Air Base, South Vietnam, in 1969 (51018-F-1234P-019).jpg|thumb|left|Fairchild AC-119G "Shadow" gunship Serial 53-3178 17th Special Operations Squadron – 1969. Transferred to Republic of Vietnam Air Force in 1971.]]
[[File:AC-47D 4SOS NhaTrang Mar69.jpg|thumb|left|Douglas AC-47B-30-DK "Spooky" gunship Serial 44-76625 of the 4th Special Operations Squadron- March 1969]]
The unit was redesignated as the '''14th Air Commando Wing''' and was reactivated at [[Nha Trang Air Base]] 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]], Republic of Vietnam.<ref name=14FTWfacts/>

Operations included [[Close air support|close]] and direct air support, interdiction, combat [[airlift]], aerial resupply, visual and photographic reconnaissance, [[unconventional warfare]], [[counterinsurgency]] operations, [[psychological warfare]] (including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting), [[forward air control]] operations and escort, [[search and rescue]], escort for convoy and [[defoliation]] operations, [[Flare (pyrotechnic)|flare]] drops, civic actions, and [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian]] actions.<ref name=14FTWfacts/>

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 (United States)|Presidential Unit Citation]]. Flying thousands of different 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 [[Douglas 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 [[Republic of Vietnam Air Force]] (RVNAF) personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, February–August 1971, and transferred some of its A[[C-119]]s to the RVNAF, August–September 1971 as part of a phase-down for inactivation.<ref name=14FTWfacts/>

===Flying training at Columbus===
The 14th replaced, and absorbed resources of, the 3650th Pilot Training Wing in June 1972 at [[Columbus Air Force Base]], Mississippi, and assumed an undergraduate pilot training program, plus base operations and maintenance.<ref name=14FTWfacts/>


==Units==
==Units==
The 14th Flying Training Wing is currently made up of:
* '''[[14th Operations Group]] (14 OG)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=14th Operations Group |url=https://www.columbus.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/353247/14th-operations-group/ |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=Columbus Air Force Base |language=en-US}}</ref>
: [[37th Flying Training Squadron]] (37 FTS)
: [[41st Flying Training Squadron]] (41 FTS)
: [[48th Flying Training Squadron]] (48 FTS)
: [[49th Fighter Training Squadron]] (49 FTS)
: [[50th Flying Training Squadron]] (50 FTS)
: 14th Operations Support Squadron (14 OSS)
: 14th Student Squadron (14 STUS)


* '''14th Mission Support Group (14 MSG)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=14th Mission Support Group |url=https://www.columbus.af.mil/About-Us/Fact-Sheets/Display/Article/353237/14th-mission-support-group/ |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=Columbus Air Force Base |language=en-US}}</ref>
'''14th Operations Group (14 OG)'''
*[[37th Flying Training Squadron]] (37 FTS)
: 14th Civil Engineering Squadron (14 CES)
*[[41st Flying Training Squadron]] (41 FTS)
: 14th Communications Squadron (14 CS)
*[[43d Flying Training Squadron]] (43 FTS)
: 14th Contracting Squadron (14 CONS)
*[[48th Flying Training Squadron]] (48 FTS)
: 14th Force Support Squadron (14 FSS)
*[[49th Fighter Training Squadron]] (49 FTS)
: 14th Logistics Readiness Squadron (14 LRS)
*[[50th Flying Training Squadron]] (50 FTS)
: 14th Security Forces Squadron (14 SFS)
*14th Operations Support Squadron (14 OSS)


* '''14th Medical Group (14 MDG)'''<ref>{{Cite web |title=14th Medical Group - Columbus Air Force Base > About Us |url=https://columbus.tricare.mil/About-Us |access-date=2022-07-03 |website=columbus.tricare.mil}}</ref>
'''14th Mission Support Group (14 MSG)'''
*14th Civil Engineering Squadron (14 CES)
: 14th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (14 OMRS)
*14th Communications Squadron (14 CS)
: 14th Healthcare Operations Support Squadron (14 HCOSS)
*14th Contracting Squadron (14 CONS)
*14th Logistics Readiness Squadron (14 LRS)
*14th Security Forces Squadron (14 SFS)
*14th Mission Support Squadron (14 MSS)


Additionally, the 14th Comptroller Squadron (14 CPTS) reports directly to the wing.
'''14th Medical Group (14 MDG)'''


==Lineage==
Additionally, the 14th Comptroller Squadron (14 CPTS) reports directly to the 14 TFW.
* Established as the '''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 (not organized)
: 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<ref name=14FTWfacts/>


==History==
===Assignments===
* [[First Air Force]], 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949
The history of the unit begins with the [[United States Army Air Corps]] '''14th Pursuit Group''', which fought in [[World War II]] as the [[United States Army Air Forces]] '''14th Fighter Group'''. The unit also fought in the [[Vietnam War]] before becoming a training organization in the 1970s.
* [[Pacific Air Forces]], 28 February 1966
=== Lineage===
* [[2d Air Division]], 8 March 1966
* Established as '''14th Pursuit Group (Fighter)''' on November 20, 1940
* [[Seventh Air Force]], 1 April 1966 – 30 September 1971
: Activated on January 15, 1941
* [[Air Training Command|Air Training (later, Air Education and Training) Command]], 1 June 1972
: Redesignated '''14th Fighter Group''' on May 15, 1942
* [[Nineteenth Air Force]], 1 July 1993 – present<ref name=14FTWfacts/>
: Inactivated on September 9, 1945
: Activated on November 20, 1946.
* Established as '''14th Fighter Wing''' on July 29, 1947
: 14th Fighter Group assigned as subordinate unit, 14 Aug 1947
: Organized on August 15, 1947.
: Inactivated on October 2, 1949
* '''14th Fighter Group (Air Defense)''' activated on 18 Aug 1955
: Discontinued on 25 Jun 1960
* Redesignated '''14th Air Commando Wing''', and activated, on February 28, 1966
: Organized on March 8, 1966.
: Redesignated '''14th Special Operations Wing''' on August 1, 1968.
: Inactivated on September 30, 1971.
* Redesignated '''14th Flying Training Wing''' on March 22, 1972
: Activated on June 1, 1972.


=== Assignments ===
===Components===
'''Group'''
{{col-begin}}
* [[14th Operations Group|14th Fighter (later, 14th Operations)]]: 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949; 15 December 1991 – present<ref name=14FTWfacts/>
{{col-break}}
* [[Fourth Air Force|Southwest Air District]]
: [[10th Fighter Wing (World War II)|10th Pursuit Wing]], January 15, 1941
: [[9th Fighter Wing (World War II)|9th Pursuit Wing]], June 1, 1941
: IV Bomber Command, September 5, 1941
:: Attached to IV Interceptor Command, October 17 – December 1941
: IV Interceptor (later, IV Fighter) Command, January 26, 1942
* [[Eighth Air Force]]
: VIII Fighter Command
:: [[6th Air Division|6th Fighter Wing]], August 1942
* [[Twelfth Air Force]]
: XII Fighter Command, September 14, 1942
: XII Bomber Command, December 11, 1942
:: Northwest African Training Command, February 1943
:: [[47th Air Division (United States)|7th Fighter Wing]]: February 18 – March 14, 1943
:: [[5th Air Division (United States)|5th Bombardment Wing]], May – July 10, 1943
:: Northwest Tactical Air Force, July 10, 1943
:: [[5th Air Division (United States)|5th Bombardment Wing]], July 14–25, 1943
:: 2686 Medium Bombardment Wing (Provisional), July 25, 1943
:: [[5th Air Division (United States)|5th Bombardment Wing]], September–November 1943
{{col-break}}
* [[Fifteenth Air Force]]
: [[306th Fighter Wing (World War II)|306th Fighter Wing]], November 1, 1943 – March 27, 1944
: [[305th Air Division|305th Fighter Wing]], September 3, 1944
: [[305th Air Division|305 Bombardment Wing]], Heavy, June 12, 1945
* [[Air Defense Command]]
: [[First Air Force]], November 20, 1946 – October 2, 1949
: [[4711th Air Defense Wing]], 18 Aug 1955
: [[32d Air Division]] (Defense), 1 Mar 1956
: [[Bangor Air Defense Sector]], 1 Aug 1958-25 Jun 1960
* [[Pacific Air Forces]], February 28, 1966
: [[2d Air Division]], March 8, 1966
: [[Seventh Air Force]], April 1, 1966 – September 30, 1971
* [[Air Training Command]], June 1, 1972 – July 1, 1993
* [[Air Education and Training Command]]
: [[Nineteenth Air Force]], July 1, 1993 – Present
{{col-end}}


'''Squadrons'''
===Bases stationed===
* 1st Air Commando: 8 March 1966 – 20 December 1967
{{col-begin}}
* 3d Air Commando (later, 3d Special Operations): 1 May 1968 – 15 September 1969
{{col-break}}
* 4th Air Commando (later, 4th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 15 December 1969
*[[Hamilton Air Force Base|Hamilton Field]], [[California]] (1941)
* 5th Air Commando (later, 5th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 15 October 1969
*[[March Field]], California (1941–1942)
* 6th Air Commando: 29 February – 15 July 1968
* Hamilton Field, California (1942)
* 9th Air Commando (later, 9th Special Operations): 25 January 1967 – 30 September 1971
*[[RAF Atcham]], [[England]] (1942)
* 14th Air Commando: 25 October 1967 – 1 May 1968
*[[Algeria]] (1942–1943)
* 15th Air Commando (later, 15th Special Operations): 15 March 1968 – 31 October 1970
*[[French Morocco]] (1943)
* 17th Special Operations: 1 June 1969 – 30 September 1971
*[[Tunisia]] (1943)
* 18th Special Operations: 1 October 1969 – 25 August 1971
{{col-break}}
* 20th Air Commando (later, 20th Special Operations): 8 March 1966 – 1 September 1971
*[[Italy]] (1943–1945)
* 37th Flying Training: 1 June 1972 – 15 December 1991
*[[Dow Air Force Base]], [[Maine]] (1946–1949)
* 42d Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
* [[Ethan Allen AFB]], [[Vermont]], 18 Aug 1955-25 Jun 1960.
* 43d Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
*[[Nha Trang Air Base]], [[South Vietnam]] (1966–1969)
* 49th Flying Training: 25 June 1990 – 15 December 1991
*[[Phan Rang Air Base]], South Vietnam (1969–1971)
* 50th Flying Training: 1 June 1972 – 15 December 1991
*[[Columbus Air Force Base]], [[Mississippi]] (1972–Present)
* 71st Special Operations: 20 December 1968 – 10 June 1969
{{col-end}}
* 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<ref name=14FTWfacts/>


===Aircraft operated===
===Stations===
* [[Dow Field]] (later Dow Air Force Base), Maine, 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949
{{col-begin}}
* Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 March 1966
{{col-break}}
* Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971
'''1940s'''
* [[Columbus Air Force Base]], Mississippi, 1 June 1972 – present<ref name=14FTWfacts/>
*[[Curtiss P-40|P-40 Warhawk]] (1941)
*[[P-43 Lancer]] (1941)
*[[P-66 Vanguard]] (1941)
*[[P-38 Lightning]] (1941–1945)
*[[P-47 Thunderbolt]] (1946–1949)
*[[F-84 Thunderjet]] (1947–1949)


===Aircraft===
'''1950s'''
{{Col-begin}}
* [[F-86 Sabre]] (1955–1958)
{{Col-break}}
* [[F-102 Delta Dagger|F/TF-102A Delta Dagger]] (1958–1960)
*[[F-84 Thunderjet]] (1947–1949)
{{col-break}}
'''Vietnam War'''
*[[A-1 Skyraider]] (1966–1968)
*[[A-1 Skyraider]] (1966–1968)
*[[AC-47 Spooky]] (1966–1969)
*[[AC-47 Spooky]] (1966–1969)
Line 166: Line 153:
*[[O-2 Skymaster]] (1967–1971)
*[[O-2 Skymaster]] (1967–1971)
*[[UH-1 Iroquois]] (1967–1971)
*[[UH-1 Iroquois]] (1967–1971)
*[[Lockheed MC-130|C-130E(I) Combat Talon]]<ref>1968-1971 designation. Combat Talons prior to their MC- designation in 1977 are now referred to as "UWC-130E", for "Unconventional Warfare".</ref> (1968–1971)
*[[Lockheed MC-130|C-130E(I) Combat Talon]]<ref>1968–1971 designation. Combat Talons prior to their MC- designation in 1977 are now referred to as "UWC-130E", for "Unconventional Warfare".</ref> (1968–1971)
{{Col-break}}
*[[C-123 Provider]] (1968–1971)
*[[C-123 Provider]] (1968–1971)
*[[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130 Spectre]] (1968)
*[[Lockheed AC-130|AC-130 Spectre]] (1968)
*[[Fairchild AC-119|AC-119 Shadow]] (1968–1971)
*[[Fairchild AC-119|AC-119G Shadow /AC-119K Stinger]] (1968–1971)
{{col-break}}
'''Flying Training'''
*[[T-41 Mescalero]] (1972–1973)
*[[T-41 Mescalero]] (1972–1973)
*[[Cessna T-37|T-37]] (1972–2008)
*[[Cessna T-37 Tweet|T-37]] (1972–2008)
*[[T-38 Talon]] (1972–Present)
*[[T-38 Talon]] (1972–present)
*AT-38 Talon (1993–2000 and 2007–present)
*AT-38 Talon (1993–2000 and 2007–present)
*[[T-1 Jayhawk]] (1996–Present)
*[[T-1 Jayhawk]] (1996–present)
*[[T-6 Texan II]] (2006–Present)
*[[T-6 Texan II]] (2006–present)
{{col-end}}
{{Col-end}}


==References==
=== Operational History ===
===Notes===
[[Image:14fg-p38-iceland-1942.jpg|thumb|Lockheed P-38F-5-LO Lightning 42-12596 of the 50th Fighter Squadron in Iceland, 1942]]
; Explanatory notes
[[Image:14thfg-p38-northafrica-1943.jpg|thumb|14th Fighter Group P-38 being serviced in North Africa, 1943]]
{{Reflist|group=note}}
[[Image:F-84g-dow-1948.jpg|thumb|Republic F-84B Thunderjets 46-535, 46-548, 46-581 of the 14th Fighter Wing (Air Defense), 1948]]
[[Image:14fig-f-102-1959.jpg|thumb|Convair F-102A-35-CO Delta Dagger 54-1395 of the 14th Fighter Interceptor Group, 1959. Converted to PQM-102B in the 1980s and expended.]]
[[Image:Ac-119g-53-3178-17sos-nhatrang-1969.jpg|thumb|Fairchild AC-119G "Shadow" gunship Serial 53-3178 17th Special Operations Squadron - 1969. Sold to South Vietnamese Air Force in 1971.]]
[[Image:AC-47D-44-76625-4thSOS-NhaTrang-Mar69.jpg|thumb|Douglas AC-47B-30-DK "Spooky" gunship Serial 44-76625 of the 4th Special Operations Squadron- March 1969]]
==== World War II ====
[[Image:14fg-emblem.jpg|left|125px]]
The '''14th Pursuit Group''' was activated on January 15, 1941 at [[Hamilton AFB|Hamilton Field]], [[California]]. Reassigned to [[March AFB|March Field]] in California in early June 1941. Trained with [[Curtiss P-40]]s, [[P-43 Lancer]]s and [[P-38 Lightning|P-38D/E Lightnings]]. Reassigned back to Hamilton Field on February 7, 1942 to receive operational P-38F and flew flying patrols on the west coast of the US after the [[Attack on Pearl Harbor|Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor]]. Although these fighters were not yet combat ready, these outfits had the only truly modern fighters then available to the USAAF, and provided West Coast defense at a time that Japanese attacks on the US mainland were believed to be imminent.


; Citations
Even though the defense of the US west coast initially took priority, plans were made in the spring of 1942 to deploy the 14th and other P-38 squadrons to [[Great Britain]]. Redesignated the '''14th Fighter Group''' in May 1942. The Ground echelon departed July 16, 1942 on the first stage of the movement to [[England]]. They sailed on the USS West Point in early August 1942, and arrived in [[Liverpool]] on August 17, 1942. The air echelon departed to [[Bradley International Airport|Bradley Field]], [[Connecticut]] on July 1, 1942. They flew P-38s to the United Kingdom via the northern ferry route. The first aircraft departed [[Presque Isle Air Force Base|Presque Isle]], [[Maine]] on July 22, 1942. The 50th Fighter Squadron remained in [[Iceland]] and was reassigned to the 342d Composite Group to assist the Curtiss P-40Cs of the 33rd Fighter Squadron in the flying of defensive patrols over the [[Atlantic]].
{{Reflist|30em}}


This was the first transatlantic crossing successfully made by single-seat fighters. In Britain, the group was stationed at [[RAF Atcham]] as part of [[Eighth Air Force]].

The 14th was reassigned to [[Twelfth Air Force]] XII Fighter Command on September 14, 1942, but continued to operate under VIII Fighter Command until mid-October flying sweeps over [[France]] and performing practice missions under the [[Royal Air Force]]'s guidance.

The Ground echelon left Atcham on October 30, 1942, and sailed on the USS Brazil and USS Uruguay from Liverpool and arrived in [[Oran]], [[Algeria]] on November 10, 1942. The air echelon departed for [[North Africa]] on November 6, 1942, and flew to Tafaraoui airfield, Algeria from November 10 to 14, 1942

From bases in [[Algeria]], and later [[Tunisia]], the group flew escort, strafing, and reconnaissance missions from the middle of November 1942 to late in January 1943. The Lightnings were soon in regular combat in the [[North African Campaign]]. The 14th contributed a great deal toward the establishment of local air superiority in the area, being effective against bombers and had wreaked great havoc among [[Afrika Korps|Rommel's air transport]] well out to sea. The P-38s earned the German nickname "der Gabelschwanz Teufel"--the Fork-Tailed Devil. In January 1943, the 14th was withdrawn from combat, with some of the men and planes being reassigned to the [[1st Fighter Wing|1st]] and [[82d Training Wing|82d]] groups.

The group resumed operational combat operations in May, being re-equipped with the P-38F and some P-38Gs. Already prior to the Axis defeat in Tunisia, the Northwest African Air Forces (of which the Twelfth Air Force was a component) had begun preparations for the invasion of [[Sicily]]. Attacks on Sicily, on [[Pantelleria]] and on [[Lampedusa]] were stepped up in preparation for [[Operation Husky]], the invasion of Sicily on July 10, 1943. The group flew dive-bombing missions during the Allied assault on Pantelleria. Helped prepare for and support the invasions of Sicily and [[Italy]]. Lieut H. T. Hanna of the 14th Fighter Group made ace in one day by destroying five [[Junkers Ju 87]] dive bombers on October 9, 1943.

Reassigned to [[Fifteenth Air Force]] in November 1943, being assigned to Triolo Airfield, [[Italy]]. Engaged primarily in escort work flying many missions to cover bombers engaged in long-range operations against strategic objectives in Italy, [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Czechoslovakia]], [[Austria]], [[Hungary]], [[Yugoslavia]], [[Rumania]], and [[Bulgaria]]. However, on occasion, they escorted the medium bombers of the Twelfth Air Force.

On April 2, 1944, the 14th Fighter Group earned a [[Distinguished Unit Citation]] for escorting bombers attacking ball-bearing and aircraft production facilities at [[Steyr]], Austria.

In late July and early August 1944, the 14th flew a shuttle missions to [[Russia]] and returned to their Italian base after spending three days at a Soviet base in the [[Ukraine]]. Along with their P-51 escorts, they shot down thirty German planes and destroyed twelve on the ground. The last Lightning shuttle mission was flown on August 4/6.

The group provided escort for reconnaissance operations, supported the [[Operation Dragoon|invasion of Southern France]] in August 1944, and on numerous occasions flew long-range missions to strafe and dive-bomb motor vehicles, trains, bridges, supply areas, airdromes, and troop concentrations in an area extending from France to the Balkans.

The 14th Fighter Group was inactivated in Italy on September 9, 1945.

====Air Defense Command====
[[Image:F-84g-dow-1948.jpg|thumb|right|200px|F-84G Sabres from the 14th Fighter Group]]
Activated in the US on November 20, 1946 at [[Bangor International Airport|Dow Field]], [[Maine]] as part of [[Air Defense Command]]. it's 37th FIS waqs equipped first with [[P-47]]’s and later with [[F-84]]’s. Inactivated on October 2, 1949. Redesignated '''14th Fighter Group (Air Defense)'''. Reativated on August 18, 1955 at [[Burlington International Airport|Ethan Allen AFB]], [[Vermont]]. Assigned to Air Defense Command and equipped with [[F-86]] aircraft. It's 37th FIS upgraded in 1958 to the [[F-102]] until being inactivated on May 23, 1960.

====Southeast Asia====
[[Image:14thsow.jpg|left|125px]]
The unit was redesignated as the '''14th Air Commando Wing''' and was reactivated at [[Nha Trang AB]] [[Republic of Vietnam]] on March 8, 1966. On August 1, 1968 it was renamed the '''14th Special Operations Wing''' and was the host unit at the base until September 30, 1971. From October 15, 1969 through September 30, 1971 the 14th SOW also operated and conducted missions from [[Phan Rang Air Base]] Republic of Vietnm

Operations included [[Close air support|close]] and direct air support, interdiction, combat [[airlift]], aerial resupply, visual and photographic reconnaissance, [[unconventional warfare]], [[counterinsurgency]] operations, [[psychological warfare]] (including leaflet dropping and aerial [[broadcasting]]), [[forward air control]] operations and escort, [[search and rescue]], escort for convoy and [[defoliation]] operations, [[Flare (pyrotechnic)|flare]] drops, civic actions, and [[Humanitarian aid|humanitarian]] 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 March 8, 1966 to March 7, 1967, earning a [[Presidential Unit Citation]]. 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]] (VNAF) personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, February–August 1971, and transferred some of its A[[C-119]]s 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 Base]], [[Mississippi]], and assumed an undergraduate pilot training program, plus base operations and maintenance. From 1993 to 2000, the wing also trained pilots in fighter fundamentals, using AT-38 aircraft. Fighter fundamentals training at Columbus resumed on May 10, 2007 with the reassignment of the 49th Fighter Training Squadron from Moody AFB. On January 27, 1995, [[Second Lieutenant]] [[Kelly Flinn]] graduated from pilot training with the 14th Flying Training Wing on her way to becoming the first woman to enter [[B-52 Stratofortress]] combat crew training.

== Operations ==
* [[World War II]]
* [[Vietnam War]]
* [[5th Air Division (United States)|5th Air Division]]

== References ==
{{User:NDCompuGeek/templates/Template:AFHRA}}
===Notes===
{{reflist}}
===Bibliography===
===Bibliography===
{{Air Force Historical Research Agency}}
{{refbegin}}
* Endicott, Judy G. ''Active Air Force wings as of 1 October 1995''; ''USAF active flying, space, and missile squadrons as of 1 October 1995''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1999. CD-ROM.
* {{cite book|last=Endicott|first=Judy G.|title=Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995|url= http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/virtual_disk_library/index.cgi/4908883/FID1533/wings_cd.pdf |access-date=2 July 2014|year=1998 |series= Air Force History and Museums Program|publisher= Office of Air Force History|location= Washington, DC |asin= B000113MB2}}
* Lambert, John W. ''The 14th Fighter Group in World War II''. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 2008. ISBN 0-76432-921-0.
* Lambert, John W. ''The 14th Fighter Group in World War II''. Atglen, PA: Schiffer, 2008. {{ISBN|978-0-7643-2921-0}}.
* Martin, Patrick. ''Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings''. Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. ISBN 0-88740-513-4.
* Martin, Patrick. ''Tail Code: The Complete History of USAF Tactical Aircraft Tail Code Markings''. Schiffer Military Aviation History, 1994. {{ISBN|0-88740-513-4}}.
* Maurer, Maurer. ''Air Force Combat Units Of World War II''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1983. ISBN 0-89201-092-4.
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Air Force Combat Units of World War II|orig-year= 1961|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Sep/21/2001330256/-1/-1/0/AFD-100921-044.pdf |edition=reprint|year=1983|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-02-1|lccn=61060979}}
* {{cite book|editor=Maurer, Maurer|title=Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II|orig-year=1969|url= http://media.defense.gov/2010/Dec/02/2001329899/-1/-1/0/AFD-101202-002.pdf|edition= reprint|year=1982|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-405-12194-6|oclc=72556|lccn=70605402}}
* Ravenstein, Charles A. ''Air Force Combat Wings Lineage and Honors Histories, 1947–1977''. Maxwell AFB, Alabama: Office of Air Force History, 1984. ISBN 0-91279-912-9.
* {{cite book|last=Ravenstein|first=Charles A.|title=Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977|url=https://archive.org/details/airforcecombatwi0000rave|year=1984|publisher=Office of Air Force History|location=Washington, DC|isbn=0-912799-12-9|url-access=registration}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
==External links==
{{portal|United States Air Force|Seal of the US Air Force.svg}}
{{portalpar|Military of the United States|Flag of the United States.svg|65}}
* [http://www.columbus.af.mil/ Columbus AFB Home Page]
* [http://www.columbus.af.mil/ Columbus AFB Home Page]
* [http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers--1908 to present]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20040207231202/http://home.att.net/~jbaugher/usafserials.html USAAS-USAAC-USAAF-USAF Aircraft Serial Numbers—1908 to present]


{{USAF Air Education and Training Command}}
{{USAF Air Education and Training Command}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{US Air Force navbox}}
{{Template group
|list =
{{USAF Vietnam War}}
{{USAF Vietnam War}}
{{Aerospace Defense Command}}
{{USAAF 8th Air Force UK}}
{{USAAF 12th Air Force World War II}}
{{USAAF 15th Air Force World War II}}
}}

[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States in World War II]]
[[Category:Groups of the United States Army Air Force]]
[[Category:Wings of the United States Air Force|0014]]
[[Category:Military in Mississippi]]


[[Category:Military units and formations of the United States Air Force in the Vietnam War]]
[[fr:14th Flying Training Wing]]
[[Category:Training wings of the United States Air Force|0014]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1972]]
[[Category:Military units and formations in Mississippi]]

Revision as of 19:22, 15 April 2024

14th Flying Training Wing
Northrop T-38C formation from the 50th Flying Training Squadron[note 1]
Active1947–1949; 1966–1971; 1972–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleUndergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQColumbus Air Force Base
Nickname(s)Team Blaze
Motto(s)"Cultivate Airman, Create Pilots and Connect"
EngagementsVietnam War
DecorationsPresidential Unit Citation (United States)
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm
Commanders
Current
commander		Col. Justin T. Grieve
Deputy CommanderCol. Jonathan Cato
Command ChiefCMSgt Todd R. Rosenzweig
Notable
commanders		Robert H. Foglesong
Insignia
14th Flying Training Wing emblem (approved 19 June 1967, restored 21 December 2007)[1]
14th Flying Training Wing (approved 16 September 1994)[1]

The 14th Flying Training Wing is a wing of the United States Air Force based out of Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi.

The 14th Operations Group and its six squadrons are responsible for the 52-week Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) 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 6,013-acre (24.33 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.

History

Air Defense

The 14th Fighter Wing was established on 29 July 1947. It provided air defense for the northeastern United States, 1947–1949.[1]

Vietnam War

Fairchild AC-119G "Shadow" gunship Serial 53-3178 17th Special Operations Squadron – 1969. Transferred to Republic of Vietnam Air Force in 1971.
Douglas AC-47B-30-DK "Spooky" gunship Serial 44-76625 of the 4th Special Operations Squadron- March 1969

The unit was redesignated as the 14th Air Commando Wing and was reactivated at Nha Trang Air Base 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, Republic of Vietnam.[1]

Operations included close and direct air support, interdiction, combat airlift, aerial resupply, visual and photographic reconnaissance, unconventional warfare, counterinsurgency operations, psychological warfare (including leaflet dropping and aerial broadcasting), forward air control operations and escort, search and rescue, escort for convoy and defoliation operations, flare drops, civic actions, and humanitarian actions.[1]

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. Flying thousands of different 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 Douglas 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 Republic of Vietnam Air Force (RVNAF) personnel in AC-119 operations and maintenance, February–August 1971, and transferred some of its AC-119s to the RVNAF, August–September 1971 as part of a phase-down for inactivation.[1]

Flying training at Columbus

The 14th replaced, and absorbed resources of, the 3650th Pilot Training Wing in June 1972 at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, and assumed an undergraduate pilot training program, plus base operations and maintenance.[1]

Units

The 14th Flying Training Wing is currently made up of:

37th Flying Training Squadron (37 FTS)
41st Flying Training Squadron (41 FTS)
48th Flying Training Squadron (48 FTS)
49th Fighter Training Squadron (49 FTS)
50th Flying Training Squadron (50 FTS)
14th Operations Support Squadron (14 OSS)
14th Student Squadron (14 STUS)
  • 14th Mission Support Group (14 MSG)[3]
14th Civil Engineering Squadron (14 CES)
14th Communications Squadron (14 CS)
14th Contracting Squadron (14 CONS)
14th Force Support Squadron (14 FSS)
14th Logistics Readiness Squadron (14 LRS)
14th Security Forces Squadron (14 SFS)
  • 14th Medical Group (14 MDG)[4]
14th Operational Medical Readiness Squadron (14 OMRS)
14th Healthcare Operations Support Squadron (14 HCOSS)

Additionally, the 14th Comptroller Squadron (14 CPTS) reports directly to the wing.

Lineage

  • Established as the 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 (not organized)
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[1]

Assignments

Components

Group

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[1]

Stations

  • Dow Field (later Dow Air Force Base), Maine, 15 August 1947 – 2 October 1949
  • Nha Trang Air Base, South Vietnam, 8 March 1966
  • Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, 15 October 1969 – 30 September 1971
  • Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, 1 June 1972 – present[1]

Aircraft

References

Notes

Explanatory notes
  1. ^ Northrop T-38C Talons serials 66-4327, 68–8162 and 68-8187 are identifiable.
Citations
  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Robertson, Patsy (23 August 2011). "Factsheet 14 Flying Training Wing (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 24 October 2016.
  2. ^ "14th Operations Group". Columbus Air Force Base. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  3. ^ "14th Mission Support Group". Columbus Air Force Base. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  4. ^ "14th Medical Group - Columbus Air Force Base > About Us". columbus.tricare.mil. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
  5. ^ 1968–1971 designation. Combat Talons prior to their MC- designation in 1977 are now referred to as "UWC-130E", for "Unconventional Warfare".

Bibliography

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

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