435th Fighter Training Squadron

435th Flying Training Squadron
435th Fighter Training Squadron Patch
Active	15 October 1943 - 15 December 1945 1 December 1952 - 8 August 1974 1 January 1977 - 19 February 1991 12 May 1993 - 1 April 1997 14 May 1998 - Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Pilot Training
Role	Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals
Part of	Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 12th Flying Training Wing 12th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Randolph Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Deadly Black Eagles
Engagements	World War II, Vietnam War
Decorations	DUC PUC AFOUA w/ V Device FCdG w/ Palm RVGC w/ Palm

The 435th Fighter Training Squadron (435 FTS) is part of the 12th Flying Training Wing based at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. It operates Northrop AT-38 Talon aircraft conducting flight training.

The 435 FTS conducts initial instructor and student flying training for over 130 U.S. Air Force and international pilots and Weapon System Operators annually in Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals. The squadron develops students' proficiency, confidence, discipline, judgment, and situational awareness of basic fighter employment. Additionally, the squadron deploys to support fighter syllabus/operational training requirements for Dissimilar Air Combat Training.

The 435th flew air defense prior to overseas duty then flew combat in the European Theater of Operations from, 26 May 1944-25 April 1945. It conducted air defense in Southeast Asia from, 12 October-20 December 1965 and combat sorties from, July 1966-15 August 1973. The squadron trained fighter pilots and weapon systems officers between January 1977 and February 1991. It conducted training for Taiwan Air Force pilots from, May 1993-c. 31 Dec 1995 and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals training for international students from, 1998-2004.