52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron

52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron
An Iraqi Air Force T-6 Texan II lands at Tikrit, Iraq
Active	1940–1944; 1944–1946; 1972–1977; 1990–1997; 2007–2011
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Pilot Training
Engagements	Pacific Theater of Operations
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Meritorious Unit Award Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Insignia
52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron emblem[note 1][1]
52nd Flying Training Sq emblem[2] (approved c. June 1990)[1]

The 52nd Expeditionary Flying Training Squadron was part of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission – Air Force. It operated Cessna and Beechcraft T-6A Texan II aircraft conducting flight training for members of the Iraqi Air Force. In late 2011, all U.S. forces were withdrawn from Iraq and the squadron was inactivated.

The squadron was first activated in 1940 as the 52nd Bombardment Squadron in the build-up of the United States military prior to the country's entry into World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the unit began conducting antisubmarine missions over the Gulf of Mexico. When the German U-boat threat diminished, it moved to Idaho, where it was a training unit for heavy bomber units and aircrews. In 1944, the squadron was inactivated when the Army Air Forces reorganized its training activities, but was immediately activated as a very heavy bomber unit. It deployed to the Pacific, where it earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for attacks on Japan. Following V-J Day, the squadron remained in the Pacific until inactivating in 1946.

The squadron was active again in 1972 as the 52nd Flying Training Squadron when it absorbed the resources of another unit at Craig Air Force Base, Alabama. It continued in this role until Craig closed in 1977 as the Air Force demand for pilots diminished following the end of its involvement in Vietnam. The 52nd was active again at Reese Air Force Base, Texas in the pilot training mission from 1990 to 1997. It was converted to provisional status in 2007.

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