414th Combat Training Squadron | |
|---|---|
 The building at Nellis AFB where the squadron hosts Red Flag exercises, 2023 | |
| Active | 1943–1947; 1969–1981; 1991–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Combat Training Unit |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada |
| Engagements |  World War II –EAME Theater[1] |
| Decorations |  Distinguished Unit Citation  Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7x)[1] |
| Insignia | |
| 414th Combat Training Squadron emblem(approved 22 October 1980)[1] |  |
| 414th Night Fighter Squadron emblem[2] |  |
The414th Combat Training Squadron (414 CTS) is aUnited States Air Force unit assigned to the57th Wing,57th Operations Group atNellis Air Force Base, Nevada. The 414th is a non-flying organization charged with hostingRed Flag exercises,Air Combat Command's largest Large Force Exercise (LFE).
The unit was originally formed as the414th Night Fighter Squadron in 1943. After training, it was deployed toTwelfth Air Force during theNorth African Campaign to provideair defense interceptor protection againstLuftwaffe night air raids. It later operated in Sardinia, Corsica, Italy, plus a detachment served in Belgium during theBattle of the Bulge. It returned to the United States and was inactivated in 1947.
It was reactivated as the414th Fighter Weapons Squadron at Nellis in 1969, serving in that role until inactivated in 1983. It was activated again at Nellis in 1991 as the414th composite Training Squadron. In 2005, it became a non-flying squadron managing Red Flag exercises.
Red Flag is a realistic combat training exercise involving the air forces of the United States and its allies. It is conducted on the bombing and gunnery ranges nearNellis Air Force Base, Nevada. It is one of a series of advanced training programs administered by the Air Warfare Center and Nellis.[3]
The 414th coordinates theGeneral Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons flown by the64th Aggressor Squadron and the ground-based air defenses operated by the507th Air Defense Aggressor Squadron.[3]
Established as the414th Night Fighter Squadron in January 1943, trained in Florida with a specialized version of theDouglas A-20 Havoc modified for night combat.[4]
Deployed toTwelfth Air Force in Algeria, May 1943. Equipped with BritishBristol Beaufighter, carried out defensive night patrols overAllied-held territory during theNorth African campaign, also conducted night interdiction raids on German positions in Algeria and Tunisia. After German collapse in North Africa, continued defensive patrols and offensive night attacks on Axis positions on Sardinia, Corsica, and in Italy. Detachment operated withNinth Air Force in Belgium in late 1944–1945 during theBattle of the Bulge. Re-equipped with P-38Ms (modifiedLockheed P-38J Lightnings) for night operations. Fitted with an AN/APS-6 radar in an external radome underneath the nose, relocated radio equipment and anti-flash gun muzzles in early 1945.[4]
When flying the Northrop P-61 Black Widow out of (what is now)Pontedera Airport, various crews sawfoo fighter objects overBologna on February 27 1945. The416th Night Fighter Squadron, at Pisa, had also seen 'foo fighter' objects a week before.[5]
The squadron stood down after the end of the European War, May 1945. Designated as not operational, June 1945 – August 1946. Moved on paper toShaw Field, South Carolina, 15 August 1946 and equipped with returnedNorthrop P-61 Black Widow night fighters. Squadron was inactivated 16 March 1947, with aircraft being reassigned to the319th Fighter Squadron (All Weather) and flown toHoward Field, Canal Zone, 1947 for defense ofPanama Canal.[4]
Redesignated as the414th Fighter Weapons Squadron on 22 August 1969, the squadron reactivated on 15 October 1969 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, replacing the 4538th Combat Crew Training Squadron. Assigned to the57th Fighter Weapons Wing, the 414th was tasked with combat crew training, using theMcDonnell F-4C Phantom II aircraft.[6] Aircraft initially tail coded "WD", wing tail code "WA" was adopted in October 1971. upgrading to the F-4D and last, the F-4E, tail coded "WA" with black/yellow check tail stripe.[7]
The 414th assumed the duties of the 4440th Tactical Fighter Training Group (Red Flag) on 1 March 1976, performing combat fighter weapons training with the F-4 until the end of 1981, when inactivated and squadron replaced by the F-4 Division of theUSAF Fighter Weapons School.[6]
The squadron was redesignated as the414th Composite Training Squadron and activated, on 1 November 1991, at Nellis. Assigned to the57th Operations Group, and flying the F-16, the squadron was tasked with conducting Red Flag exercises. In 1993, the unit was renamed the414th Training Squadron, and in 1994, the414th Combat Training Squadron. Performed aggressor training with F-16C Fighting Falcons until 2005 when they were reassigned to the64th Aggressor Squadron,57th Adversary Tactics Group.[6]
Now a non-flying organization, the 414th, unlike most USAF squadrons which are typically commanded by lieutenant colonels, the present scope of responsibility of the squadron within theUnited States Air Force Warfare Center (USAFWC) is such that it is now commanded by a full colonel. While the 414th remains technically subordinate to the57th Operations Group, it is now more analogous to group level-equivalent organization for administration of Red Flag operations.[6]
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Air Combat Command (ACC) | |||||||||
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