86th Flying Training Squadron The 86th Flying Training Squadron ( 86 FTS ) is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base , Texas . It operates T - 1 Jayhawk aircraft conducting flight training . History . On 20 November 1940 , a new squadron was designated the 86th Bombardment Squadron , Light . Activated on 15 January 1941 and stationed at McChord Field , Washington its primary mission was anti - submarine patrols untilizing B - 18 aircraft . In the six years that followed , the 86th traveled to all parts of the world earning a proud history . The mission was expanded to include training personnel for overseas duty and combat operations . In 1942 , the 86th started its journey through various parts of Europe and North Africa . It was stationed in approximately 20 different locations including French - Morocco ( 1942 ) , Conrobert , Algeria ( 1943 ) and Salon , France ( 1944 ) . During that time , the 86th supported combat operations with the DB - 7 , A - 20 and A - 26 aircraft . The 86th Bombardment Squadron received numerous campaign streamers and the Distinguished Unit Citation in 1943 and again in 1945 . It went on to fly combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from , 14 December 1942 – 30 April 1945 . During the course of the war the squadron earned two Distinguished Unit Citation s . In 1945 , the 86th returned to the United States to begin training in support of a new mission of night tactical operations . Stationed at Briggs Fields , Texas , in 1946 , and then Barksdale AFB , Louisiana , in 1948 , the 86th was redesigned the 86th Bombardment Squadron , Light , Jet , flying the A - 26 and then B - 45 aircraft . With the slowdown of military operations , the 86th was inactivated in 1949 . On 23 March 1954 , the 86th Bombardment Squadron , Light , jet was reactivated . It was stationed at Sculthorpe RAF Station and Alconbury RAF station , England , flying the B - 45 and B - 66 aircraft . On 1 Oct 1955 , the 86th was redesigned as the 86th Bombardment Squadron , Tactical . The 86th remained in England , maintaining proficiency in a variety of tactical operations and was awarded the Air Force Unit Citation for operations from July 1958 to June 1960 . On 22 June 1962 , the 86th distinguished itself by acquiring eleven campaign streamers and three Distinguished Unit Citations . Through the early years of the Cold War the 86th transitioned to the B - 45 Tornado and later the B - 66 Destroyer aircraft and served as a bomber unit , primarily stationed in England . On 22 March 1972 , the 86th was redesignated the 86th Flying Training Squadron . The old 3646th Pilot Training Squadron at Laughlin AFB was redesignated the 86th Flying Training Squadron , giving the 86th it present name and location at Laughlin Air Force Base , Texas where it specializes in training Strategic Air Command co - pilots . Since 1972 , the 86th was an active squadron training student pilots . From 1976 to 1979 , the squadron trained Strategic Air Command Co - pilots in the ACE program . The squadron was inactivated in September 1992 . During its twenty years as a pilot training squadron , the 86th Flying Training Squadron earned five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards . On 17 February 1994 , the 86th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated . The training mission continues utilizing the T - 1A Jay Hawk for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training . Today the squadron flies the T - 1 Jayhawk conducting the specialized undergraduate pilot training phase for airlift - tanker - bomber track pilots . Operations . . Antisubmarine patrols , 9 Dec 1941 - 15 Jan 1942 . Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations ( MTO ) , 14 Dec 1942 - 30 Apr 1945 . Undergraduate pilot training , Sep 1972 - Sep 1992 and specialized undergraduate pilot training , 1993 to present . Assignments . . 47 Bombardment Group , 15 Jan 1941 - 2 Oct 1949 . 47 Bombardment Group , 23 Mar 1954 ( attached to 47 Bombardment Wing , 23 Mar 1954 - 7 Feb 1955 ) ; 47 Bombardment Wing , 8 Feb 1955 - 22 Jun 1962 . 47 Flying Training Wing , 1 Sep 1972 ; 47 Operations Group , 15 Dec 1991 - 15 Sep 1992 . 47 Operations Group , 1 Dec 1993 – Present . Aircraft . . B - 18 , 1941 - 1942 ; DB - 7 , 1942 ; A - 20 , 1942 - 1945 ; A - 26 ( later , B - 26 ) , 1945 - 1949 ; B - 45 , 1949 . B - 45 , 1954 - 1958 ; B - 66 , 1958 - 1962 . T - 38 , 1972 - 1992 . T - 1 , 1993 – Present . Operations . . Antisubmarine patrols , 9 Dec 1941 - 15 Jan 1942 . Combat in Mediterranean Theater of Operations ( MTO ) , 14 Dec 1942 - 30 Apr 1945 . Undergraduate pilot training , Sep 1972 - Sep 1992 and specialized undergraduate pilot training , 1993 to present . Service Streamers . . None . Campaign Streamers . . World War II : Antisubmarine , American Theater ; Algeria - French Morocco ; Tunisia ; Sicily ; Naples - Foggia ; Anzio ; Rome - Arno ; Southern France ; North Apennines ; Po Valley ; Air Combat , EAME Theater . Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers . . None . Decorations . . Distinguished Unit Citations : North Africa , 22 Feb 1943 ; Po Valley , 21 - 24 Apr 1945 . Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards : 1 Jul 1958 - 30 Jun 1960 ; 1 Jan - 31 Dec 1973 ; 1 Jan 1976 - 28 Feb 1977 ; 1 Jan 1979 - 30 Apr 1980 ; 1 May 1982 - 29 Feb 1984 ; 1 Mar 1985 - 28 Feb 1987 ; [ 1 Mar ] 1987 - 31 Mar 1988 ; 16 Mar 1989 - 15 Mar 1991 ; 1 Jul 1991 - [ 15 Sep 1992 ] ; [ 1 Dec 1993 ] - 30 Jun 1995 ; 1 Jul 1997 - 30 Jun 1999 ; 1 Sep 2003 - 30 Jun 2005 ; 1 Jul 2005 - 30 Jun 2007 . Emblem . . Approved on 8 Mar 1945 ; modified and reinstated on 22 Mar 1995 ; replaced emblem approved on 20 Feb 1973 .