558th Flying Training Squadron The 558th Flying Training Squadron ( 558 FTS ) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base , Texas . The squadron trains individuals on how to properly operate the MQ - 1 Predator . Overview . In a response to the dangers of insurgent warfare , Randolph AFB has assigned a new squadron that will eventually train more than 500 airmen annually to fly and operate remote - controlled aircraft . The May 20 , 2010 reactivation of “ The Phantom Knights ” — Randolph ' s 558th Flying Training Squadron — will make Randolph officially the Air Force ' s only site to offer undergraduate , or beginning , training in remotely piloted aircraft . Training in a test program has been taking place for about 1½ years there . It marks the base ' s commitment to providing “ the most sought - after capability in theater , ” Lt . Col . Bryan Runkle , who will assume command of the squadron , said in a release . “ I ' m honored to be part of the Air Force ' s first squadron dedicated to RPA training . ” Randolph officials are calling the move historic , since the squadron will train students on RPAs as their first aircraft and sensor operators entering their first career field . An RPA flight crew typically has one sensor operator responsible for controlling video , radar and weapons equipment . The 12th Flying Training Wing , Randolph ' s host unit since 1972 , conducts training for instructor pilots , combat systems officers and student fighter pilots . The 558th , with roots dating to 1942 , was last activated to fly T - 6As at Randolph in 2002 , and then inactivated when another squadron took over that mission in 2006 . The new squadron will be the home of undergraduate training for the MQ - 1 Predator , MQ - 9 Reaper and RQ - 4 Global Hawk . Randolph began an RPA fundamentals course in the fall 2008 , and last year ran a “ Beta test class ” through an instrument qualification course on RPAs , base officials said . Last August , the base began a basic sensor operators ' course . While many still join the Air Force in hopes of flying manned bombers , fighters and tankers , many are going into operation of RPAs because it ' s a career growth area and is important in today ' s battlefield , Air Force officials said . The squadron now has about 60 students but expects 120 in 2011 and 150 in 2013 , said Beverly Simas , spokeswoman with the training wing . The beginner courses run four weeks , with the instrument qualification course lasting 10 weeks . Residents of areas near the base won ' t see the aircraft flying , since most of the training at Randolph will be taught in classrooms or on simulators . Formal training on RPAs will occur at Creech AFB , Nev . ; Holloman AFB , N . M . ; Beale AFB , Calif . ; and March AFB , Calif . Simas said the Air Force prefers the acronym RPA to UAV — unmanned aerial vehicle . History . Activated as a B - 26 Marauder medium bombardment squadron in late 1942 . Trained under Third Air Force and deployed to European Theater of Operations ( ETO ) in July 1943 . Initially being stationed in England and assigned to IX Bomber Command , Engaged in tactical bombardment of enemy targets in Occupied Europe initially from stations in England , then after D - Day , moved to Advanced Landing Ground s in France and Belgium ; advancing eastward as Allied ground forces advanced . Supported Eighth Air Force strategic bombardment missions over Nazi Germany and Occupied Europe ; striking enemy airfields to obtain maximum interference in Luftwaffe day interceptor attacks on heavy bomber formations returning to England . Also participated in Western Allied Invasion of Germany , March – April 1945 , combat ending with German Capitation in May 1945 . Became part of the United States Air Forces in Europe while squadron demobilized personnel in 1945 . Squadron reassigned to the United States as a paper unit , inactivated in November 1945 . Activated in 1962 as one of the initial F - 4C Phantom II fighter squadrons when the aircraft was made operational by the Air Force . When activated , F - 4Cs were not yet in production . In order to get the squadron operational , second - line F - 84F Thunderjets were transferred from the Air National Guard . Received Navy F4Hs ( later F - 4B ) for training ; receiving F - 4Cs in January 1964 . Deployed to South Vietnam during the Vietnam War and flew combat missions , primary over North Vietnam until Cam Ranh Air Base was closed in November 1970 . Reactivated as a training squadron in 1992 , it specialized in undergraduate navigator training from , 15 December 1992 – 1 October 1996 and 16 January 2002 – 28 September 2006 . Reactivated in 2010 for MQ - 1 Predator operator flight training .