8th Flying Training Squadron

This article's lead section may be too short to adequately summarize the key points. Please consider expanding the lead to provide an accessible overview of all important aspects of the article. (August 2025)

8th Flying Training Squadron
T-6 Texan IIs from Vance AFB
Active	1942–1951; 1972–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Pilot Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Vance Air Force Base
Engagements	Southwest Pacific Theater
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Commanders
Current commander	LtCol Deirdre Gurry[1]
Insignia
8th Flying Training Squadron emblem[note 1][2][note 2]
8th Flying Training Squadron emblem[note 3][3]
8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron emblem[4]

The 8th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operated during World War II and the Korean War, was inactivated in 1951, and reactivated in 1972. It currently conducts flight training using T-6A Texan II aircraft.

Performs Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training with T-6A Texan II trainers.

Activated in early 1942 under Fourth Air Force; after a brief organizational period in Southern California where it was equipped with reconnaissance P-38 Lightnings (F-4) it deployed to the Southwest Pacific Area, being assigned to Fifth Air Force in Australia.

Engaged in long-range tactical reconnaissance missions over New Guinea; later the Netherlands East Indies and in late 1944, over the Philippines in support of MacArthur's Island-Hopping campaign (1942–1945). After the Japanese capitulation in August 1945, became part of the Army of Occupation in Japan. It was not operational between April 1946 and July 1947.

From 1947–1949 flew photographic mapping missions over Japan, Korea, Philippines and other areas of western Pacific.^[5][6] During the Korean War, the squadron flew tactical reconnaissance sorties over North and South Korea from, 29 June 1950 – 24 February 1951.

The 8th has conducted undergraduate pilot training for active duty, Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve and selected foreign allies since 1 November 1972.^[2] Since the mid-1990s, the squadron has also conducted joint primary flight training for selected US Navy and US Marine Corps student naval aviators, with command of the squadron alternating between Air Force officers in the rank of lieutenant colonel and Navy officers in the ranks of commander.^[2][7][8][1]

• Constituted as the 8th Photographic Squadron on 19 Jan 1942

Activated 1 Feb 1942

Redesignated 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 9 Jun 1942

Redesignated 8th Photographic Squadron (Light) on 6 Feb 1943

Redesignated 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron on 13 Nov 1943

Redesignated 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Night Photographic on 10 Aug 1948

Redesignated 8th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, Photo-Jet on 1 Aug 1949

Inactivated on 25 Feb 1951

Redesignated 8th Flying Training Squadron on 14 Apr 1972

Activated on 1 Nov 1972^[2]

• IV Air Support Command, 1 Feb 1942
• Fifth Air Force, 29 Mar 1942 (attached to Allied Air Forces, Apr – Sep 1942)
• V Bomber Command, 5 Sep 1942
• 6th Photographic Group (later 6th Reconnaissance Group), 13 Nov 1943 (attached to V Bomber Command after c. 10 Dec 1945)
• V Bomber Command, 27 Apr 1946
• 314th Composite Wing, 31 May 1946
• 71st Reconnaissance Group (later 71st Tactical Reconnaissance Group), 28 Feb 1947 (attached to 314th Composite Wing until Nov 1947)
• Fifth Air Force, 1 Apr 1949
• 543d Tactical Support Group, 26 Sep 1950 – 25 Feb 1951
• 71st Flying Training Wing, 1 Nov 1972
• 71st Operations Group, 15 Dec 1991 – present^[2]

• Jeffrey B. Cashman, future Brigadier General.
• Fred Hargesheimer, pilot turned philanthropist to those who saved his life after he was shot down.
• James P. Ulm, future Brigadier General.

Explanatory notes

Citations

• Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ASIN B000113MB2. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Archived from the original (PDF) on 20 December 2016.
• Pape, Garry R.; Campbell, John M.; Campbell, Donna (1991). Northrop P-61 Black Widow: The Complete History and Combat Record. Minneapolis, MN: Motorbooks International. ISBN 978-0-879385-09-5.
• Watkins, Robert A. (2013). Insignia and Aircraft Markings of the U.S. Army Air Force In World War II. Vol. V, Pacific Theater of Operations. Atglen, PA: Shiffer Publishing, Ltd. ISBN 978-0-7643-4346-9.

Further reading

• Stanaway, John and Bob Rocker. The Eight Ballers: Eyes of the Fifth Air Force. The 8th Photo Reconnaissance Squadron in World War II. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing, 1999. ISBN 0-7643-0910-2.