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449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron
Cessna T-37 at Mather Air Force Base
Active	1942–1945; 1947–1949; 1973–1988
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Pilot Training
Part of	Air Combat Command
Engagements	European Theater of Operations [1]
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award [1]
Insignia
449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron emblem [1] [a]
449th Bombardment Squadron emblem [b] [2]

The 449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron is a provisional United States Air Force. It was first activated as the 449th Bombardment Squadron in July 1942. After training in the United States, it deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in December 1942. It engaged in combat operations from 1943 to 1945, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation for demonstrating the effectiveness of medium bombers in the ETO. Following V-E Day, it participated in the disarmament of the Luftwaffe, until September 1945, when it returned to the United States for inactivation.

The squadron served in the reserves from October 1947 to June 1949, when it was inactivated as the military budget was reduced, although it does not appear to have been fully manned or equipped with operational aircraft at this time.

In 1973, Air Training Command was converting its flying training units from MAJCON status. As part of this reorganization, the squadron was redesignated the 449th Flying Training Squadron and replaced the 3538th Navigator Training Squadron at Mather Air Force Base, California. It conducted flight training for members of the United States military and foreign allies until inactivating in May 1993 as Mather prepared for closure.

On 28 October 2008, it was converted to provisional status as the 449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed, but does not appear to have been active.

History

World War II

Established as a Martin B-26 Marauder medium bomber squadron in mid-1942; ^[3] 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

The squadron was reactivated on 4 October 1947 at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, Pennsylvania. It does not appear to have been fully manned and was equipped only with trainer aircraft. ^[1] In July 1948 Continental Air Command (ConAC) assumed responsibility for managing reserve and Air National Guard units from ADC. ^[4] President Truman’s reduced 1949 defense budget required reductions in the number of units in the Air Force, ^[5] and the 449th was inactivated ^[1] and not replaced as reserve flying operations at what was now North Philadelphia Airport ceased.

Navigator training

Background

Air Training Command organized the 3536th Bombardier Training Squadron at Mather Air Force Base, California. It was later redesignated the 3536yh Observer Training Squadron, 3536th Aircraft Observer Training Squadron and finally the 3536th Navigator Training Squadron. ^[6] The squadron was initially equipped with Boeing TB-50 Superfortresses to train bombardiers, radar observers and radar navigators on the K-3 bombardment/navigation system used by the Convair B-36 Peacemaker. In the early 1950s, later model TB-50Hs equipped the squadron and its focus shifted to training Boeing B-47 Stratojet crewmembers. ^[7]

Navigator training

On 1 May 1973, the squadron, now designated the 449th Flying Training Squadron absorbed the mission, personnel and equipment of the 3536th Navigator Training Squadron. It conducted undergraduate navigator training for USAF, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, and United States allies from, 1973–1992. ^{[1] [8]}

Expeditionary unit

On 28 October 2008, the squadron was converted to provisional status as the 449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron and assigned to Air Combat Command to activate or inactivate as needed, ^[1] but the squadron does not appear to have been active since then.

Lineage

• Constituted as the 449th Bombardment Squadron (Medium) on 19 June 1942

Activated on 17 July 1942

Redesignated 449th Bombardment Squadron, Medium on 20 August 1943 ^[9]

Inactivated on 11 December 1945

• Redesignated 449th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 13 August 1947

Activated in the reserve on 4 October 1947

Inactivated on 27 June 1949

• Redesignated 449th Flying Training Squadron on 28 July 1972

Activated on 1 April 1973

Inactivated on 31 May 1993

• Redesignated 449th Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron and converted to provisional status on 28 October 2008 ^[10]

Assignments

• 322d Bombardment Group, 17 July 1942 – 11 December 1945
• 322d Bombardment Group, 4 October 1947 – 27 June 1949
• 323d Flying Training Wing, 1 April 1973
• 323d Operations Group, 15 December 1991 – 31 May 1993
• Air Combat Command, to activate or inactivate at any time after 28 October 2008 ^[1]

Stations

Aircraft

References

Notes

Explanatory notes

Citations

Bibliography

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

• Knaack, Marcelle Size (1978). Encyclopedia of US Air Force Aircraft and Missile Systems (PDF). Vol. 2, Post-World War II Bombers 1945-1973. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN  0-912799-59-5. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN  0-912799-02-1. LCCN  61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• 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. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
• Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN  0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.