340th Flying Training Group
340th Flying Training Group | |
---|---|
Active | 1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1952–1966; 1968–1971; 1977–1992; 1998–present |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Type | Group |
Role | Flying Training |
Part of | Air Force Reserve Command |
Garrison/HQ | T-38 Talon |
The 340th Flying Training Group is a reserve component of the
The group's first predecessor is the 340th Bombardment Group. After training in the United States, the group deployed to the
The group was again active in the
The second predecessor of the group was activated in October 1952 as the 340th Bombardment Wing as the Air Force reopened
Mission
The 340th administers and executes the Air Education and Training Command and Air Force Reserve Command Associate Instructor Pilot Program and provides Active Guard Reserve and Traditional Reserve instructor pilots to augment the cadre of active duty pilots conducting pilot training.
Units
The Group consists of a headquarters element at
- 5th Flying Training Squadron at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma
- 39th Flying Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- 43rd Flying Training Squadron at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi
- 96th Flying Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas
- 97th Flying Training Squadron at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas
- 433rd Training Squadron at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
History
World War II
The 340th Bombardment Group was a
The unit was constituted as 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 10 August 1942 and was activated on 20 August. It trained with B-25 Mitchell bombers for duty overseas. It arrived in the Mediterranean theater in March 1943. It was assigned first to Ninth Air Force, and in August 1943 to Twelfth Air Force when the Ninth moved to England.
The 340th served in combat from April 1943 to April 1945. Engaged chiefly in
it also dropped propaganda leaflets behind enemy lines. Participated in the reduction of Pantelleria and Lampedusa in June 1943, the bombing of German evacuation beaches near Messina in July, the establishment of the Salerno beachhead in September, the drive for Rome during January to June 1944, Operation Dragoon, the invasion of Southern France in August, and attacks on the Brenner Pass and other German lines of communication in northern Italy from September 1944 to April 1945.
In January 1944, Colonel Charles D. Jones was the commanding officer of the 340th Bombardment Group. On 10 March 1944, while participating in a bombing mission with the 486th Bombardment Squadron, he was shot down and became a prisoner of war for the remainder of the war. Colonel Jones later received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) for this mission.[3]
The 340th Group probably suffered the loss of more aircraft than any other
The 340th Received a
With the end of the war in Europe, the 340th returned to the United States during July–August 1945. It was inactivated on 7 November 1945 at Columbia Army Air Base, South Carolina.
Air reserve service
The unit was reactivated and trained in the
Strategic Air Command
B-47 Stratojet era
The United States Air Force established the 340th Bombardment Wing, and activated it on 20 October 1952 at
The 340th replaced and absorbed the resources of the 4224th Air Base Squadron. Sedalia at the time was undergoing a massive modernization program, from its World War II configuration of temporary buildings and short runways designed for glider and pilot training to that of a modern, permanent air force base. The wing devoted its efforts to supervising base rehabilitation and new construction until May 1954, This was done by the 340th Air Base Group. The wing headquarters, tactical and maintenance squadrons had minimum manning during this period and were basically "paper" units.
The Wing received its first
The 340th achieved recognition as one of
By 1962 the B-47 was being programmed for retirement as it was believed that it could not penetrate the
B-52 Stratofortress era
Background
On 1 October 1958 SAC established the 4130th Strategic Wing at Bergstrom as part of SAC's plan to disperse its
However, SAC strategic wings could not carry a permanent history or lineage and SAC looked for a way to make its strategic wings permanent.[note 2] In 1962, in order to perpetuate the lineage of bombardment units with illustrious World War II records, Headquarters SAC received authority from Headquarters USAF to discontinue its Major Command controlled (MAJCON) strategic wings that were equipped with combat aircraft and to activate USAF controlled (AFCON) units, most of which were inactive at the time which could carry a lineage and history.
Replacement of strategic wing
The 340th was reassigned to Bergstrom without personnel or equipment in September 1963, where it assumed the aircraft, personnel and equipment of the discontinued 4130th SW.[10][note 3] The 486th Bombardment Squadron, one of the 340th's World War II historical squadrons, replaced the 335th Bombardment Squadron.[11] The 859th Medical Group, 50th Munitions Maintenance Squadron and the 910th Air Refueling Squadron were reassigned to the 340th. The 4130th's support group and maintenance and security squadrons were replaced by ones with the 340th numerical designation of the wing. Each of the new units assumed the personnel, equipment, and mission of its predecessor.
The wing continued SAC global strategic bombardment training and air refueling operations.[10] Beginning in 1965, the Air Force decided to convert most of its B-52Ds to conventional warfare capability for service in Southeast Asia. Foremost among the changes needed was to give the B-52D the ability to carry a significantly larger load of conventional bombs. This led to the Big Belly project which was begun in December 1965.
By 1966, Intercontinental ballistic missiles had been deployed and become operational as part of the United States' strategic triad, and the need for B-52s had been reduced. In addition, funds were also needed to cover the costs of combat operations in Indochina. The 340th Bombardment Wing was inactivated on 2 October 1966 and its aircraft were reassigned to other SAC units.[10]
In connection with the wing's inactivation, Bergstrom was returned to TAC, which closed
Bombardment training
The 340th Group was reactivated on 2 July 1968 at
The first production FB-111A aircraft (serial 67-159) flew on 13 July 1968. It was accepted by the Air Force on 30 August. A second FB-111A was delivered on 25 October. However, these two planes were powered by TF30-P-12A engines designed for Naval service instead of the Air Force P-7 turbofan. In addition, problems with the avionics subsystem slowed further deliveries, with the Air Force not accepting its next FB-111A until 23 June 1969.
On 8 October 1969 the seventh FB-111A manufactured (serial 67–7193) entered service with the group's 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron. The 340th's staff and instructor received training in TAC F-111As at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada with the 4527th Combat Crew Training Squadron. The group also maintained a combat crew force capable of conducting bombardment operations if necessary with the FB-111A.
On 7 October 1970, the 340th's first major aircraft accident occurred when FB-111A 68-253 crashed at Carswell, causing the deaths of Lt. Col Robert S. Montgomery (
The last production FB-111A (69–6514) was delivered to SAC on 30 June 1971, and the 340th Bomb Group was inactivated on 31 December 1971 with the end of production. A total of 76 FB-111A aircraft were produced, and when group was inactivated the 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron moved to
Air refueling operations
Six years later the group was redesignated as the 340th Air Refueling Group and reactivated at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma as a tenant unit. At Altus the group was assigned the 11th Air Refueling Squadron equipped with KC-135s. The group and wing were consolidated in March 1982.
The consolidated unit was redesignated the 340th Air Refueling Wing, Heavy on 1 October 1984 and gained the 306th Air Refueling Squadron as a second KC-135 squadron. The wing was assigned to SAC's 19th Air Division. It was then reassigned to Fifteenth Air Force, on 6 June 1988.
With the inactivation of SAC, the wing was reassigned to Air Mobility Command on 1 June 1992 and was inactivated on 1 October 1992 as part of the general drawdown of the USAF after the Cold War ended, its components subsequently merging with collocated 443d Airlift Wing at Altus to form the 97th Air Mobility Wing.
Pilot training
The 340th was reactivated at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas, as the 340th Flying Training Group on 1 April 1998 as an Air Force Reserve Command unit under Tenth Air Force. The 340th was organized to provide associate instructor pilots for the Air Education and Training Command Specialized Undergrasuate Pilot Training mission.
Lineage
- 340th Flying Training Group
- Constituted as the 340th Bombardment Group (Medium) on 10 August 1942
- Activated on 20 August 1942
- Redesignated 340th Bombardment Group, Medium on 20 August 1943
- Inactivated on 7 November 1945
- Redesignated 340th Bombardment Group, Light on 8 October 1947
- Activated in the reserve on 31 October 1947
- Inactivated on 19 August 1949
- Redesignated 340th Bombardment Group, Medium and activated on 22 May 1968 (not organized)
- Organized on 2 July 1968
- Inactivated on 31 December 1971
- Redesignated 340th Air Refueling Group, Heavy' on 14 June 1977
- Activated on 1 July 1977
- Consolidated with the 340th Bombardment Wing, Medium on 31 March 1982
- Redesignated 340th Air Refueling Wing, Heavy on 1 October 1984
- Redesignated 340th Air Refueling Wing on 1 September 1991
- Inactivated on 1 October 1992
- Redesignated 340th Flying Training Group and activated on 1 April 1998[1]
340th Bombardment Wing
- Constituted on 3 October 1952 as the 340th Bombardment Wing, Medium
- Activated on 20 October 1952
- Redesignated 340th Bombardment Wing, Heavy on 1 September 1963
- Discontinued and inactivated, on 2 October 1966
- Consolidated with the 340th Air Refueling Group, Heavy, on 31 March 1982 as the 340th Air Refueling Group, Heavy[1]
Assignments
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Components
Groups
- 340th Air Base Group (later 340th Combat Support Group): 30 October 1952 – 1 July 1966
- 340th Logistics Group: 1 September 1991 – 1 October 1992
- 340th Medical Group (later 340th USAF Hospital): 30 October 1952 – 1 October 1958
- 340th Operations Group: 1 September 1991 – 1 October 1992
- 398th Operations Group: 1 June 1992 – 1 October 1992[1]
- 805th Medical Group: 1 October 1958 – 1 September 1963
- 859th Medical Group: 1 September 1963 – 1 July 1966
Squadrons
- Operational Squadrons
- 5th Flying Training Squadron: 1 April 1998 – present
- 9th Bombardment Squadron: 2 July 1969 – 31 December 1971
- 11th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 July 1977 – 1 September 1991
- 34th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 October 1958 – 1 October 1959
- 39th Flying Training Squadron: 2 April 2001 – present
- 43d Flying Training Squadron: 1 April 1998 – present
- 96th Flying Training Squadron: 1 April 1998 – present
- 97th Flying Training Squadron: 1 April 1998 – present
- 100th Flying Training Squadron: 1 April 1999 – 12 September 2007
- 306th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 October 1984 – 1 September 1991
- 340th Air Refueling Squadron: 20 October 1952 – 1 July 1953 (detached entire period); 18 January 1954 – 15 October 1962 (detached 29 October – 31 December 1956, 25 September – 28 December 1957, 5 January – 9 April 1959, and 3 January – 1 April 1961)
- 486th Bombardment Squadron: 20 August 1942 – 7 November 1945; 31 October 1947 – 19 August 1949; 20 October 1952 – 2 October 1966 (not operational, 20 October 1952 – Feb 1954)
- 487th Bombardment Squadron: 20 August 1942 – 7 November 1945; 31 October 1947 – 19 August 1949; 20 October 1952 – 1 September 1963 (not operational, 20 October 1952 – Feb 1954)
- 488th Bombardment Squadron: 20 August 1942 – 7 November 1945; 31 October 1947 – 19 August 1949; 20 October 1952 – 1 September 1963 (not operational, 20 October 1952 – Feb 1954)
- 489th Bombardment Squadron: 20 August 1942 – 7 November 1945; 10 November 1947 – 27 June 1949; 1 October 1958 – 1 January 1962
- 910th Air Refueling Squadron: 1 September 1963 – 2 October 1966
- 4007th Combat Crew Training Squadron: 2 July 1968 – 31 December 1971
- 4111th Bombardment Squadron: 2 July 1968 – 2 July 1969
- Maintenance Squadrons
- 16th Munitions Maintenance Squadron: 1 July 1960 – 1 September 1963
- 50th Munitions Maintenance Squadron: 1 September 1963 – 2 October 1966
- 340th Airborne Missile Maintenance Squadron: 1 September 1963 – 2 October 1966
- 340th Armament and Electronics Maintenance Squadron (later 340th Avionics Maintenance Squadron): 20 October 1952 – 2 October 1966, 2 July 1968 – 31 December 1971
- 340th Field Maintenance Squadron (later 340th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, 340th Field Maintenance Squadron, 340th Maintenance Squadron): 20 October 1952 – 2 October 1966; 2 July 1968 – 31 December 1971; 1 July 1977 – 1 September 1991
- 340th Periodic Maintenance Squadron (later 340th Organizational Maintenance Squadron): 20 October 1952 – 2 October 1966; 2 July 1968 – 31 December 1971; c. 1 October 1984 – 1 September 1992
Stations
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Aircraft
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See also
- List of B-47 units of the United States Air Force
- List of B-52 Units of the United States Air Force
- 520th Air Service GroupSupport unit for the group during World War II
References
Notes
- Explanatory notes
- ^ Approved 12 September 1955.
- ^ MAJCON units could not carry a permanent history or lineage. Ravenstein, Guide to Air Force Lineage and Honors, p. 12.
- ^ The 340th Wing continued, through temporary bestowal, the history, and honors of the World War II 340th Bombardment Group. It was also entitled to retain the honors (but not the history or lineage) of the 4130th. This temporary bestowal ended in January 1982, when the wing and group were consolidated into a single unit.
- Citations
- ^ a b c d e f g Haulman, Daniel (1 November 2016). "Factsheet 340 Flying Training Group (AFRC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 3 July 2022.
- ^ Watkins, pp. 88-89
- ^ a b Casper, Jack and Ver Keljik, Eds., 489th Bomb Squadron Book, 1947.
- ^ "Abstract (Unclassified), Vol 1, History of Strategic Air Command, Jan–Jun 1957 (Secret)". Air Force History Index. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ "Factsheet 19 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. 10 April 2007. Archived from the original on 22 October 2012. Retrieved 17 March 2014.
- ^ a b c d Mueller, pp. 29–34
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 413–414
- ^ "Abstract (Unclassified), History of the Strategic Bomber since 1945 (Top Secret, downgraded to Secret)". Air Force History Index. 1 April 1975. Retrieved 4 March 2014.
- ^ "Factsheet 4 Air Division". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 30 October 2012. Retrieved 12 March 2014.
- ^ a b c Ravenstein, Air Force Combat Wings, pp. 179–180
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 584
Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. LCCN 61060979.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. OCLC 72556.
- Mueller, Robert (1989). Air Force Bases, Vol. I, Active Air Force Bases Within the United States of America on 17 September 1982 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-53-6.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947-1977 (PDF). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). A Guide to Air Force Lineage and Honors (2d, Revised ed.). Maxwell AFB, AL: USAF Historical Research Center. p. 12.
- Watkins, Robert A. (2009). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. IV, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater of Operations. Atglen,PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-3401-6.
- Further reading
- Rogers, Brian. (2005). United States Air Force Unit Designations Since 1978. Hinkley, UK: Midland Publications. ISBN 1-85780-197-0.
- Joe Baugher's Encyclopedia Of Military Aircraft (B-52, FB-111)
- Strategic Air Command.Com (Whiteman AFB, 340th Wing)
External links
- The 489th Bombardment Squadron on Corsica
- Allied raids on Italy and Europe, 1943 b/w video, mute – provided by Archivio Storico Istituto Luce –