LAUGHLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- The 85th Flying Training Squadron (FTS), also known as the Tigers, celebrates its 85th anniversary with ‘Tiger for a Day’ for 50 local children, Aug. 5, 2026. The date, 8/5, is a special day for the Tigers to celebrate their heritage and training mission.
Instructor pilots from the 85th FTS spent the day guiding participants through their everyday lives, from flight rooms to flight simulators, and even out to the flightline for an up-close look at the T-6A Texan II.
“It’s a good way to bring the community in and experience what it’s like to be at the base in general,” said Lt. Col. Kristof Lieber, 85th FTS commander. “Seeing what training goes on and how we grow all the people here shows it’s a team effort to get everyone airborne.”
Participants had the chance to ask questions about the intricacies of pilot training throughout their tour. During their simulator experience children got the chance to fly the T-6 and handle the same controls student pilots use.
After flying the simulators, participants headed out to the flightline where they saw the T-6 up close and try on Aircrew Flight Equipment gear such as helmets and harnesses. Taking what they learned with the simulators, the kids saw how flight simulators translate to the real controls. Participants were also visited by 47th Civil Engineering Squadron fire fighters and 47th Security Forces Squadron defenders.
The 85th FTS’ lineage dates back to World War II as the 85th Bomb Squadron back on January 15, 1941. The squadron played an integral part throughout war in the Mediterranean Theater, flying support and interdictory operations on enemy tanks, roads and airfields. Today, the 85th FTS serves as an undergraduate pilot training squadron at Laughlin that utilizes the T-6 to train future Air Force and Allied Nation pilots.
The 85th FTS plans to continue its strategic effort in community outreach and recruitment to further ignite a passion for aviation in the next generation of champions.
“Knowing all these kids are from the local area, they see the T6s flying overhead all the time,” said Capt. Keelyn Osoba, 85th FTS instructor pilot. “We’re able to give them a little taste and hopefully inspire some of the youth to be pilots.”