436th Training Squadron The 436th Training Squadron ( 436 TS ) is a non - flying training squadron of the United States Air Force . It is assigned to the 7th Operations Group , Dyess Air Force Base , Texas The 436 TS is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force , first being organized as the 88th Aero Squadron on 18 August 1917 at Kelly Field , Texas . The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a Corps observation squadron . On 7 December 1941 , elements of the 88th Reconnaissance Squadron were one of the B - 17 Flying Fortress units that landed at Hickam Field , Hawaii during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor . Later in World War II as the 436th Bombardment Squadron , the unit earned the Distinguished Unit Citation and the Presidential Unit Citation for its services in the China Burma India Theater ( CBI ) . During the Cold War , it was part of Strategic Air Command equipped with B - 52 Stratofortress bombers until its inactivation in 1963 . Overview . The 436th Training Squadron provides formal training to Air Combat Command using 14 classes at Dyess AFB and 38 other programs exported directly to units for local training needs . Training includes air , ground and weapons safety , Air Force Operations Resource Management System , classroom instructor training , Air Force Mission Support System administration , mission planning cell training , Aircrew Flight Equipment , and computer software use and development . The 436th Training Squadron also develops multimedia and formal presentations used in training program development and formal presentations . Multimedia personnel are based at Dyess AFB , and deploy worldwide to perform their mission . Unit products and services are used throughout the DOD . History . World War I . Activated in the summer of 1917 as the Air Service 88th Aero Squadron ; deployed to France during World War I and served on the Western Front . Engaged in combat as a corps observation squadron with I , III , IV , and V Army Corps , 30 May – 10 November 1918 . After the armistice subsequently served with VII Army Corps in occupation force , November 1918 – May 1919 when the squadron returned to the United States . Inter - War era . Re - designated as the 88th Squadron in 1921 and assigned to Langley Field , Virginia . Participated in demonstrations of effectiveness of aerial bombardment on warships , June – September 1921 . Deployed for service in connection with civil disorders arising from West Virginia coal strike , September 1921 . Redesignated 88th Observation Squadron in 1921 the squadron moved from Langley to support Army ground forces at Fort Campbell , Kentucky ; then to Texas in 1927 at Brooks Field to patrol the Mexican Border ; to Oklahoma in 1928 to support Fort Sill , then back to Brooks Field in 1931 . Squadron moved to California in 1935 and was assigned to the new Hamilton Field near San Francisco , as part of the 12th Observation Group . Became a coastal patrol squadron operating amphibian aircraft , then began to operate modern Martin B - 10 bombers in 1936 in the reconnaissance mission when attached as the fourth squadron of the 7th Bombardment Group , 1st Wing , General Headquarters Air Force . The squadron dropped food and supplies and flew photographic missions in connection with flood - relief operations in central California , 12 – 13 December 1937 ; upgraded to the B - 18 Bolo in 1938 , and in 1939 to early - model Boeing B - 17B Flying Fortress for long range reconnaissance patrols . Moved to Fort Douglas , Utah in 1940 when the short runways at Hamilton proved inadequate for B - 17 operations , with a secondary move to Salt Lake City Army Air Base in January 1941 where it was upgraded to the B - 17E . In early December 1941 , was ordered to Clark Field , Philippines Commonwealth to build up forces there due to increased tensions between the United States and the Japanese Empire . Departed on 5 December from Salt Lake City ; then left Hamilton Field on 6 December bound for Hickam Field , Hawaii Territory . Air echelon under attack during its arrival at Hickam on 7 December . Some of the planes managed to land at Haleiwa Fighter Strip , one set down on a golf course , and the remainder landed at Hickam under the strafing of Japanese planes . World War II . After the Pearl Harbor Attack , the surviving aircraft operated from Hawaii until February 1942 , becoming part of the air defense forces of the Territory . Moved to Australia with the 7th Bomb Group where the squadron reformed in northern Queensland in late February . Became part of the new Fifth Air Force . Moved to Java in the Dutch East Indies an attempt to stop the Japanese advance , however the small force of B - 17s could do very little to stem the tide of the Japanese advance , launching valiant but futile attacks against the masses of Japanese shipping and returned to RAAF Townsville in early March . Redesignated as the 436th Bombardment Squadron in April 1942 and left its B - 17Es in Australia , being reassigned to the new Tenth Air Force in India where it was re - equipped with long - range Consolidated B - 24D Liberator s . For the balance of the war , carried out long distance heavy bomb raids over Japanese targets primarily in Burma , Thailand and Indochina ; although also attacked Japanese targets in Southeastern China attacking airfields , fuel and supply dumps , locomotive works , railways , bridges , docks , warehouses , shipping , and troop concentrations in Burma and struck oil refineries in Thailand , power plants in China and enemy shipping in the Andaman Sea . ( A more complete account is available in Lt Col ( Ret ) William Henderson ' s book , " From China Burma India to the River Kwai " ) Ceased bombing operations in late May 1945 and was attached to the Air Transport Command to haul gasoline from India over the Himalayas to China . Squadron demobilized in India , leaving B - 24s to Indian Colonial forces , inactivated as a paper unit in the United States in early 1946 . Strategic Air Command . Reactivated in 1946 as a B - 29 Superfortress bombardment squadron and trained in global bombardment operations flying simulated bombing missions over various cities , as well as performing intercontinental training missions over the Pacific and later to Europe . In June 1948 the first Consolidated B - 36A Peacekeeper was delivered . Operated B - 36s until 1958 when the squadron began conversion to the B - 52 Stratoforterss . In 1959 was reassigned to SAC provisional 4238th Strategic Wing , being re - equipped with B - 52F Stratofortress intercontinental heavy bombers . Was reassigned to Barksdale Air Force Base , Louisiana by SAC to disperse its heavy bomber force . Conducted worldwide strategic bombardment training missions and providing nuclear deterrent . Was inactivated in 1963 when SAC inactivated its provisional Strategic Wings , redesignating them permanent Air Force Wings . Squadron was inactivated with aircraft / personnel / equipment being redesignated 20th Bombardment Squadron in an in - place , name - only transfer . Modern era . Reactivated in 1986 as the 436th Strategic Training Squadron ( 436 STS ) at Carswell AFB , Texas . The squadron supported the SAC mission through classroom instruction , multimedia production , and training aid fabrication . Due to a realignment of major commands in the Air Force in 1992 , the 436 STS became the 436th Training Squadron as a Direct Reporting Unit under Air Combat Command . In 1993 , the squadron was moved to Dyess AFB with the realignment of Carswell as a Joint Reserve Base . The squadron continues to function for Air Combat Command providing classroom instruction for over 10 courses to students from every major command and multimedia productions used throughout the DOD .