86th Light Bombardment Squadron

86th Flying Training Squadron
86th Flying Training Squadron Patch
Active	15 January 1941 – 2 October 1949 23 March 1954 – 22 June 1962 1 September 1972 – 15 September 1992 1 December 1993 - Present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Pilot Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 47th Flying Training Wing 47th Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Laughlin Air Force Base
Decorations	DUC AFOUA

The 86th Flying Training Squadron (86 FTS) is part of the 47th Flying Training Wing based at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas. It operates T-1 Jayhawk aircraft conducting flight training.

On 20 November 1940, a new squadron was designated the 86th Bombardment Squadron, Light. Activated on 15 January 1941 and stationed at McChord Field, Washington, its primary mission was anti-submarine patrols utilizing B-18 aircraft. In the six years that followed, the 86th traveled to all parts of the world earning a proud history. The mission was expanded to include training personnel for overseas duty and combat operations.

In 1942, the 86th started its journey through various parts of Europe and North Africa. It was stationed in approximately 20 different locations including French-Morocco (1942), Conrobert, Algeria, (1943) and Salon, France (1944). During that time, the 86th supported combat operations with the DB-7, A-20 and A-26 aircraft. The 86th Bombardment Squadron received numerous campaign streamers and the Distinguished Unit Citation in 1943 and again in 1945. It went on to fly combat missions in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations from, 14 December 1942 – 30 April 1945. During the course of the war the squadron earned two Distinguished Unit Citations.

In 1945, the 86th returned to the United States to begin training in support of a new mission of night tactical operations. Stationed at Briggs Fields, Texas, in 1946, and then Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, in 1948, the 86th was redesigned the 86th Bombardment Squadron, Light, Jet, flying the A-26 and then B-45 aircraft. With the slowdown of military operations, the 86th was inactivated in 1949.

On 23 March 1954, the 86th Bombardment Squadron, Light, jet was reactivated. It was stationed at Sculthorpe RAF Station and Alconbury RAF station, England, flying the B-45 and B-66 aircraft. On 1 Oct 1955, the 86th was redesigned as the 86th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical. The 86th remained in England, maintaining proficiency in a variety of tactical operations and was awarded the Air Force Unit Citation for operations from July 1958 to June 1960. On 22 June 1962, the 86th distinguished itself by acquiring eleven campaign streamers and three Distinguished Unit Citations.

Through the early years of the Cold War the 86th transitioned to the B-45 Tornado and later the B-66 Destroyer aircraft and served as a bomber unit, primarily stationed in England.