451st Flying Training Squadron


The 451st Flying Training Squadron is an active United States Air Force unit. Its assigned to the 479th Flying Training Group, stationed at NAS Pensacola, Florida.

History

World War II

Established as a Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber squadron in mid-1942; trained under Third Air Force in Florida. Deployed to European Theater of Operations, being assigned to VIII Bomber Command 3d Bombardment Wing in England. Engaged in attacks on enemy targets in France and the Low Countries; being reassigned to IX Bomber Command in 1943 with the establishment of Ninth Air Force in England. Also supported VIII Bomber Command strategic bombardment raids in Occupied Europe and Nazi Germany, attacking enemy airfields to disrupt interceptor attacks on heavy bomber formations and destroy enemy interceptor aircraft on the ground before they could be launched.
After D-Day deployed to Advanced Landing Grounds in France and later Belgium. Provided tactical air support and bombardment of enemy strong points and military targets to disrupt resistance to Allied ground forces advancing from the French invasion beaches and the ensuing offensives on the continent; 1944–1945. Attacked enemy forces as part of the Western Allied invasion of Germany, 1945 and continued offensive tactical operations in support of ground forces until German capitulation in May 1945.
Became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe army of occupation in Germany during 1945. Demobilized in place and personnel returned to the United States in the fall of 1945; squadron inactivated as a paper unit in December 1945.

Air Force reserve

Reactivated as a reserve air training command squadron; assigned and performed advanced flight training for air cadets, 1947–1949. Inactivated due to funding restrictions.

Day fighter operations

Assigned to Tactical Air Command and reactivated in 1954 flying North American F-86 Sabres; later North American F-100 Super Sabres as a fighter-day squadron. Inactivated in 1957 due to funding restrictions.

Flying training

Reactivated in 1972 as an Air Training Command navigator training squadron; flew Convair T-29; later Boeing T-43 Bobcat navigation classroom aircraft.
As of 2 October 2009, the 451st FTS trains Combat Systems Officers utilizing 21 modified T-1A Jayhawk aircraft.

Lineage