394th Combat Training Squadron

394th Combat Training Squadron
B-2 and T-38 aircraft of the 394th Combat Training Squadron flanked by an A-10 of the Air Force Reserve's 442nd Fighter Wing and an AH-1 of the Missouri Army National Guard
Active	1917-19; 1919-46; 1996-Present
Country	United States of America
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Training
Part of	509th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Whiteman AFB
Engagements	World War II: Central Pacific; Guadalcanal; New Guinea; Northern Solomons; Eastern Mandates; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Southern Philippines; China Offensive; Air Combat, Asiatic-Pacific
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation
Insignia
394th Combat Training Squadron emblem

The 394th Combat Training Squadron is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the 509th Operations Group. It is stationed at Whiteman AFB, Missouri. The mission of the squadron is to train B-2 Spirit aircrews. The 394th is the fourth oldest squadron in the United States Air Force. Its history dated to 5 May 1917 as the 4th Aero Squadron.

The 394th Combat Training Squadron provides the 509th Bomb Wing with qualified, mission-ready B-2 and Northrop T-38 Talon pilots to support worldwide Joint Chiefs of Staff taskings. The 394th is also responsible for implementing all B-2 and T-38 formal training courses.

The unit supervises and oversees all T-38 operations and performs quality assurance for all maintenance and aircrew training devices, including weapon system trainers.

The squadron was originally activated as the 4th Aero Squadron on 5 May 1917 during World War I at Dodd Field Texas. but within a month was transferred to Kelly Field. The unit remained there until 24 September 1917 when it transferred to Post Field, on Fort Sill, Oklahoma. During World War I, the 4th operated as an observer training unit for the Army field artillery training school at Fort Sill. The squadron's pilots began flying the Curtiss R-4 (an Air Service racer), the Curtiss JN-4, and Curtiss JN-6 (multi-purpose aircraft that were outfitted for a variety of duties). The unit remained in Oklahoma until 2 January 1919 the unit was demobilized when all flying squadrons at Post were consolidated into the Flying School Detachment, Post Field.

After World War I the second predecessor of the unit, also named the 4th Aero Squadron was activated at Hazelhurst Field, New York on 23 June 1919 and after reorganization moved to its permanent station in Hawaii on 8 January 1920 The squadron stayed there throughout the 1920s and 1930s as part of the Hawaiian Department.