5th Fighter Squadron
| 5th Flying Training Squadron | |
|---|---|
5th Flying Training Squadron T-1 Jayhawk
|
|
| Active | 1941–1945; 1946–1988; 1990–1991; 1997–present |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 United States Air Force
|
| Role | Pilot Training |
| Part of | 340th Flying Training Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma |
| Nickname(s) | Spittin' Kittens |
| Motto(s) | Isti Non PenetrabuntLatin They Shall not Penetrate |
| Engagements |
|
| Decorations |
|
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Jacksel M. Broughton |
| Insignia | |
| 5th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 16 January 1951) |  |
The 5th Flying Training Squadron (5 FTS) is part of the United States Air Force 71st Flying Training Wing based at Vance Air Force Base, Oklahoma. It operates the T-1 Jayhawk, T-38C Talon, and T-6A Texan II aircraft conducting flight training in support of the 71st Operations Group.
It was established as an Army Air Corps fighter squadron in January 1941. It was assigned to the Northeast Air District with P-40s and P-39s as part of the defense buildup prior to the United States entry into World War II.
It was deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO), assigned to VIII Fighter Command in August 1942. Its P-39 Airacobras were deemed unsuitable for the environment for escort duty. It was re-equipped with Supermarine Spitfires and was trained by the Royal Air Force. It flew some escort missions with VIII Bomber Command B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-24 Liberators during the fall of 1942.
It was sent to North Africa in late 1942 as part of the Operation Torch invasion forces, and took up station in Algeria. It was reassigned to Twelfth Air Force and flew both fighter escort missions for the B-17 Flying Fortresses operating from Algeria and tactical interdiction strikes on enemy targets of opportunity in Algeria and Tunisia during the North African Campaign.
...
Wikipedia