94th Flying Training Squadron History Present The 94 FTS conducts over 15,000 training and competition glider sorties annually, focused on developing officership, leadership and character of over 4,000 USAFA and ROTC cadets. It operates airmanship training at USAF's busiest day, VFR-only airfield to provide the maximum opportunity for cadet participation in a USAF operational environment, motivating them toward careers as Air Force officers. Currently 500 cadets per year take a basic solo course in sailplanes (Soar-For-All). The cadet instructor force consists of 106 sailplane instructor pilots. There are 26 active duty officers, 13 reserve officers, and two enlisted troops assigned to the 94th Flying Training Squadron. The soaring resources currently include 22 sailplanes and five tow aircraft. History The 94th Troop Carrier Squadron (94 TCS) was activated on 1 Jun 1943. The aircraft assigned to this unit were the C-47 Skytrain and the C-46 Commando which served as cargo and troop carriers for the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. These aircraft were also towplanes for the Waco CG-4A glider. During World War II, 94 TCS earned numerous decorations for their participation in many important operations including the airborne assaults on Normandy, Rome-Arno, Holland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Germany. To recognize acts of bravery in the face of the enemy, the squadron earned the French Croix de Guerre (with palm) in 1944 from the French Government. The 94 TCS was deactivated on 31 Jul 1946; redesignated 94th Troop Carrier Squadron (Medium) on 19 May 1949; activated in the reserve on 27 Jun 1949; ordered to active service on 1 Apr 1951 for the Korean War; and inactivated on 3 Apr 1951. For more history on WWII glider pilots, visit the following web sites: http://www.ww2gp.org/ or http://www.pointvista.com/WW2GliderPilots/index.htm or http://www.silentwingsmuseum.com/ A soaring and Aero Club were formed for cadets in 1956 while the Academy was located at Lowry AFB, CO. The Academy was forced to discontinue soaring when the sailplanes were destroyed by high winds in December 1958. The Aero Club moved to the Academy airstrip in October 1961, and the Soaring Club was reestablished the same year. Soaring became part of the Academy curriculum in December 1964. Four sailplanes were acquired through donations and non-appropriated funds. From its early roots, flight training was expanded to all cadets in 1970 with the establishment of the Soar-For-All program. Its mission is "to form the foundation of cadet exposure to aviation related activities, build character, and help motivate cadets toward a career in the United States Air Force." The 94th Airmanship Training Squadron was founded in Oct 1983. It consisted of a "Jump" Flight and a "Soaring" Flight. The "Jump" flight was responsible for parachuting operations at USAFA. The "Soaring" flight managed the Soar-For-All program and it's gliders. In 1995, the 94th Airmanship Training Squadron was broken up into the 98th Flying Training Squadron (whose primary mission is parachuting), and the 94th Flying Training Squadron (whose primary mission is soaring). The 94th Flying Training Squadron was also home to the USAFA Flying Team. The Flying Team resources include T-41D's (4), and C-150's (3) aircraft. In May 03 the Flying Team was reorganized under 557th Flying Training Squadron to streamline operations on the airfield. Assignments 9th Air Force, 9th Troop Carrier Command, 50th Troop Carrier Wing, 439th Troop Carrier Group, 1 Jun 1943 Third Air Force, 10 Jun-31 Jul 1946 439th Troop Carrier Group, 27 Jun 1949-3 Apr 1951 Stations Alliance AAFld, NE, 1 Jun 1943 Sedalia AAFld, MO, 15 Jun 1943 Alliance AAFld, NE, 2 Aug 1943 Laurinburg-Maxton AAB, NC, 19 Dec 1943 Baer Field, IN, 2-12 Feb 1944 Balderton, England, 6 Mar 1944 Upottery, England, 26 Apr 1944 (operated from Orbetello, Italy, 18 Jul-24 Aug 1944) Juvincourt, France, 8 Sep 1944 Lonray, France, c. 28 Sep 1944 Chateaudun, France, 6 Nov 1944-Jul 1945 Baer Field, IN, Sep 1945 Sedalia AAFld, MO, Oct 1945-31 Jul 1946 Selfridge AFB, MI, 7 Jun 1949-3 Apr 1951 Operations Airborne assaults on Normandy, Southern France, Holland, and Germany; relief of Bastogne; transportation of personnel and cargo in European and Mediterranean Theaters of Operations during World War II. Aircraft Flown C-47, 1943-1945 C-46, 1945-1946 CG-4A, 1943-1946 Service Streamers American Theater Campaign Streamers (arrowhead attachment authorized for glider operations) Euro-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal Rome-Arno 1944 Normandy 1944 Northern France 1944 Southern France 1944 Rhineland 1944 - 1945 Ardennes-Alsace 1944 - 1945 Central Europe 1945 Decorations Distinguished Unit Citation: France, [6-7] Jun 1944 French Croix de Guerre with Palm: [6-7] Jun 1944; 15 Aug 1944 French Fourragere Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (AFOUA) for 94 FTS 1 Jan 89 - 31 Dec 90 1 Sep 94 - 31 Oct 95 1 Jan 97 - 31 Dec 97 1 Jan 98 - 31 Oct 99 1 Jan 00 - 31 Oct 01 Air Force Organizational Excellence Award (AFOEA) for 94 FTS 1 Sep 92 - 31 Aug 94