414th Combat Training Squadron
| 414th Combat Training Squadron | |
|---|---|
414th Composite Training Squadron - Four aircraft formation
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| Active | 1943-1947; 1969-Present |
| Country |
 United States
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| Branch |
 United States Air Force
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| Type | Combat Training Unit |
| Role | Red Flag Coordination |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada |
| Engagements |
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| Decorations | |
| Insignia | |
| Emblem of the 414th Combat Training Squadron |  |
The 414th Combat Training Squadron (CTS) is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the 57th Wing at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The 414 CTS is a non-flying organization charged with hosting Red Flag - NELLIS (RF-N) exercises, Air Combat Command's premier and largest Large Force Exercise (LFE).
The unit was originally formed as the 414th Night Fighter Squadron in 1943. After training, it was deployed to Twelfth Air Force during the North African Campaign to provide air defense interceptor protection against Luftwaffe night air raids. It later operated in Sardinia, Corsica, Italy, plus a detachment in Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. It returned to the United States and was inactivated in 1947.
It was reactivated as a combat training squadron at Nellis AFB in 1969. In 2005, it was designated as a non-flying squadron managing Red Flag exercises.
Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. It is conducted on the vast bombing and gunnery ranges at Nellis AFB, Nev. It is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the Air Warfare Center and Nellis.
The 414 CTS coordinates the F-16 Fighting Falcons flown by the 64th Aggressor Squadron and F-15 Eagles flown by the 65th Aggressor Squadron and the ground based air defenses operated by the 507th Air Defense Aggressor Squadron.
Established as a Night Fighter Squadron in January 1943, trained in Florida with a specialized version of the A-20 Havoc modified for night combat.
Deployed to Twelfth Air Force in Algeria, May 1943. Equipped with British Bristol Beaufighter, carried out defensive night patrols over Allied held territory during the North African campaign, also conducted night interdiction raids on German positions in Algeria and Tunisia. After German collapse in North Africa, continued defensive patrols and offensive night attacks on Axis positions on Sardinia, Corsica, and in Italy. Detachment operated with Ninth Air Force in Belgium in late 1944-1945 during the Battle of the Bulge. Re-equipped with modified Lockheed P-38L Lightning (designated P-38M) for night operations fitted with an AN/APS-6 radar in an external radome underneath the nose, relocated radio equipment and anti-flash gun muzzles in early 1945.
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Wikipedia