37th Flying Training Squadron
The 37th Flying Training Squadron is part of the 14th Flying Training Wing based at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. It operates Beechcraft T-6 Texan II aircraft conducting flight training.
| 37th Flying Training Squadron | |
|---|---|
37th Flying Training Squadron T-6 Texan II | |
| Active | 1941–1945; 1946–1949; 1952–1960; 1972–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Pilot Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 14th Flying Training Wing 14th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Columbus Air Force Base |
| Nickname(s) | Bengal Tigers |
| Engagements | World War II |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Col. Valerie "Postal" Ferrara |
| Insignia | |
| 37th Flying Training Squadron emblem (approved 10 November 1972) | |
| Patch showing 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem (approved 9 September 1958) | |
| 37th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 13 February 1942) | |
The squadron was first established as the 37th Pursuit Squadron and activated in January 1941. As the 37th Fighter Squadron it saw combat during World War II in the Mediterranean and European Theaters, and was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for action over Austria in 1944. It was inactivated after war's end in 1945.
The squadron was active with Air Defense Command in the northeastern United States from 1946 to 1949. Originally equipped with propeller fighters, it became one of the first units equipped with the Republic F-84 Thunderjet. As the 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron', the unit once again was assigned the mission of defending the northeastern United States from 1952 to 1960.
The squadron has conducted flying training since 1972 as the 37th Flying Training Squadron.