FTS gets new meaning as squadron activates

  • Published
  • By Technical Sgt. Joel Langton
  • 47th FTW Public Affairs
LAUGHLIN AFB, Texas --  A 22-minute ceremony marked the stand-up of the 434th Fighter Training Squadron and new horizons for Laughlin to pursue.
The name alone marks a significant departure, as the other training squadrons in the 47th Operations Group are named flying training squadrons, the 434th is called a fighter training squadron, signifying the 34-person unit's unique mission.
Laughlin's previous mission had the wing growing pilots from the ground up to the point where they receive their wings. The addition of the 434th FTS has the wing grooming fighter pilots, helping them take the next step after Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training.
"The 434th FTS will help mold a new generation of fighter pilots," said Lt. Col. Gregory Johnson, 434th FTS commander.
Not only does Lieutenant Colonel Johnson's boss agree, but he sees it as a new innovation for Air Force training.
It's a great new step in developing a training continuum," said Col. David Petersen, 47th Operations Group commander. "In the past, flying training was broken into different steps at different bases but now, there will be a flow of training here at Laughlin."
"It will strengthen our pilot training here simply by the cross flow of information between different squadrons. With everything located here, it will be a training continuum and our base will be able to turn out even better pilots."
The unit is expected to graduate 80 pilots a year, who will be qualified to take the controls of F-15C, F-15E, F-16, A-10 and F-22.
The ceremony began at 9 a.m. on the flight line in front of base operations.
Thirteen minutes later, the sheath was being taken off the 434th's guidon and being passed from Master Sgt. George Koffler, 47th OG's first sergeant to Colonel Petersen, who officially activated the squadron by handing the flag to their new commander, Lieutenant Colonel Johnson.
The squadron landing in Laughlin marks a new era in the unit's storied history that is older than the Air Force itself. The unit stood up in California in October, 1943. Seven months later, it was flying combat missions out of England. The squadron has been activated and inactivated a number of times since, and has produced several aces.
About half of the unit's members come from Moody, where the unit's mission was moved from during the recent round of cuts under the Base Realignment and Closure recommendations.
"It's a great day for the Air Force, for Laughlin and for the men and women of the 434th FTS," said Lieutenant Colonel Johnson.
The additional mission will also be a boon for the local area.
Using planning cost factors for direct and indirect payroll, the base's payroll will increase more than $11 million per year. At this time, it's too early to calculate the non-payroll related economic impact, but last year Laughlin's economic impact was valued at about $227.9 million to the local area.