Operational - Replacement Training Units

Operational - Replacement Training Units
United States Army Air Forces recruiting poster
Active1942–1945
Country United States of America
Branch United States Army Air Forces
RoleGroup/Replacement Aircrew Training
Part ofFirst Air Force
Second Air Force
Third Air Force
Fourth Air Force
I Troop Carrier Command
Air Transport Command
Nickname(s)OTU (Operational Training Unit)
RTU (Replacement Training Unit)
EngagementsWorld War II

  • World War II American Theater

Operational Training Units (OTU) and Replacement Training Units (RTU) were training organizations of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Unlike the schools of the Army Air Forces Training Command (AAFTC), OTU-RTU units were operational units of the four domestic numbered air forces along with I Troop Carrier Command and Air Transport Command, with the mission of final phase training new pilots or crews. Most were disbanded in the spring of 1944 and replaced by combat crew replacement centers assigned to base units.