90th Flying Training Squadron

The 90th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 80th Flying Training Wing based at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Northrop T-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

90th Flying Training Squadron
90th Flying Training Squadron T-38 Talon
Active	1942–1945; 1973–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Pilot Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Sheppard Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Burma Banshees (World War II)[1]
Motto(s)	Bear Down
Engagements	China-Burma-India Theater[2]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Commanders
Current commander	Lt Col Bryan McGuire
Insignia
90th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 19 January 1945)[2]
Unofficial 90th Fighter Squadron emblem (CBI Theater[3]

History

World War II

The 90th flew combat missions in the China Burma India Theater from 16 September 1943 – 29 April 1945.^[2] While stationed at Moran, India, on 8 June 1944, the squadron again received Republic P-47 Thunderbolts. It flew its first combat mission with Thunderbolts on 25 June, having transferred its Curtiss P-40 Warhawks to the depot in Karachi or to the 88th Fighter Squadron.^[4]

Pilot training

It conducted undergraduate pilot training for US and allied students from 1973 to 1981 and has been part of the Euro-NATO Joint Pilot Training Program since October 1981.^[2]

Lineage

• Constituted as the 90th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 13 January 1942

Activated on 9 February 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 1 July 1942

Redesignated 90th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 28 February 1944

Inactivated on 3 November 1945

• Redesignated 90th Flying Training Squadron on 25 May 1972

Activated on 1 January 1973^[2]

Assignments

• 80th Fighter Group, 9 February 1942 – 3 November 1945
• 80th Flying Training Wing, 1 January 1973
• 80th Operations Group, 2 January 1998 – present)^[2]

Stations

Selfridge Field, Michigan, 9 February 1942 Newark Army Air Base, New Jersey, 24 June 1942 LaGuardia Airport, New York, 27 August 1942 Mitchel Field, New York, 27 February-30 April 1943 Karachi, India, 28 June 1943 Jorhat, India, c. 12 September 1943 Moran, India, March 1944

Tingkawk Sakan, Burma, 27 August 1944 Myitkyina, Burma, 21 January 1945 Moran, India, 5 May 1945 Dudhkundi, India, 30 May-6 October 1945 Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, 1-3 November 1945 Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, 1 January 1973 – present)[2]

Aircraft

• Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1942–1943, 1944–1945)
• Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1943–1944)
• Northrop T-38 Talon (1973–present)^[2]