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 antisubmarine patrols utilizing Douglas B-18 Bolo 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, Canrobert Airfield, Algeria, and Salon-de-Provence Airfield, France. During that time, the 86th supported combat operations with the Douglas DB-7 and Douglas A-20 Havoc and the Douglas A-26 Invader 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 until 30 April 1945.
Bomber operations in the United States
In 1945, the 86th returned to the United States to begin training in support of a new mission of night tactical operations. Stationed at Biggs Field, Texas, in 1946, and then Barksdale Air Force Base, 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.
Bomber operations in Europe
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 Outstanding Unit Award for operations from July 1958 to June 1960. Through the early years of the Cold War the 86th transitioned to the North American B-45 Tornado and later the Douglas B-66 Destroyer aircraft and served as a bomber unit, primarily stationed in England.
Flying training
On 22 March 1972, the 86th was redesignated the 86th Flying Training Squadron. The former 3646th Pilot Training Squadron at Laughlin Air Force Base was discontinued and its personnel and equipment transferred to the 86th and the squadron continued to train undergraduate student pilots in the Northrop T-38 Talon. From 1976 to 1979, the squadron also trained Strategic Air Command co-pilots in the ACE program. The squadron was inactivated in September 1992. During its twenty years as a pilot training squadron, the 86th Flying Training Squadron earned five Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards. On 17 February 1994, the 86th Flying Training Squadron was reactivated. The training mission continues utilizing the T-1A Jay Hawk for Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training. Today the squadron flies the Raytheon T-1 Jayhawk conducting the specialized undergraduate pilot training phase for airlift-tanker-bomber track pilots.
Lineage
Constituted as the 86th Bombardment Squadron on 20 November 1940
Redesignated 86th Bombardment Squadron, Light on 1 March 1954
Redesignated 86th Flying Training Squadron on 22 March 1972
World War II: Antisubmarine, American Theater; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations: North Africa, 22 Feb 1943; Po Valley, 21-24 Apr 1945. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jul 1958 – 30 Jun 1960; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1973; 1 Jan 1976 – 28 Feb 1977; 1 Jan 1979-30 Apr 1980; 1 May 1982 – 29 Feb 1984; 1 Mar 1985-28 Feb 1987; 1987-31 Mar 1988; 16 Mar 1989 – 15 Mar 1991; 1 Jul 1991-; -30 Jun 1995; 1 Jul 1997 – 30 Jun 1999; 1 Sep 2003-30 Jun 2005; 1 Jul 2005 – 30 Jun 2007
