80th FTW activates new training squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Candy Miller
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The 80th Flying Training Wing stood up a new training squadron April 10 in Hangar 2550. 

The 469th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated to alleviate congestion in the 90th FTS. Capt. Jeff Thomason, an organizer for the event, said the 90th FTS has always produced quality combat pilots, but another squadron was needed to meet the demands of new aircraft to get in line with the traditional size of flying training squadrons. 

"The average squadron has about 30 to 40 personnel, but the 90th Flying Training Squadron had about 100," he said. "The 469th Flying Training Squadron will make it easier to manage." 

Some members of the 90th FTS officially transferred to the new squadron when they removed their old squadron patch on their uniforms and replaced it with the 469th FTS patch. Included in this group was Lt. Col. Richard Griffin, the first commander of the 469th FTS and former 90th FTS assistant director of operations, as well as the wing's chief of safety. 

The colonel said he looks forward to continuing the tradition and history of the previous 469th squadrons. 

"We're taking the squadron as part of a proud heritage," he said. "As a team, we'll make our squadron's heritage stronger and prouder." 

The history of the 469th began in July 1942 when the 469th Bombardment Squadron was activated and served as a training unit for B-24 Liberator pilots. The squadron was inactivated in 1944 and reactivated in December 1952 as a fighter-interceptor squadron. 

The squadron was inactivated again in January 1958 until the Air Force reactivated it as the 469th Tactical Fighter Squadron in April 1962. 

The 469th TFS saw more combat action out of any previous 469th designation. Among its accomplishments during the Vietnam War include numerous ground targets destroyed and two MiG kills. In just three years time, the 469th FTS flew 40,000 combat hours in the F-105 Thunderchief.