497th Combat Training Squadron, US Air Force
497TH COMBAT TRAINING SQUADRON, US AIR FORCE
History: Constituted as 302 Bombardment Squadron (Light) on 13 January 1942. Activated on 10 February 1942. Redesignated as: 302 Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 27 July 1942; 497 Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 10 August 1943. Disbanded on 1 April 1944. Reconstituted, and redesignated as 497 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, on 3 February 1953. Activated on 18 February 1953. Redesignated as 497 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 25 July 1964. Inactivated on 16 September 1974. Activated on 1 October 1978. Inactivated on 24 January 1989. Redesignated as 497 Fighter Training Squadron on 28 October 1991. Activated on 31 October 1991. Redesignated as: 497 Combat Training Squadron on 1 August 1994; 497 Combat Training Flight on 26 October 2006. Served as an operational training unit, providing both cadre personnel and dive-bombing training for other bombardment units, 1942-1943. Moved to Harding Field, LA in October 1943 and became a replacement training (later, fighter pilot training) unit until inactivation in 1944. As part of Air Defense Command's Western Air Defense Force, performed alert commitment for the Portland area, 1953-1955. Trained with F-86 from 1955-1958, then moved to Spain in April 1958. Operated jointly with the Spanish Air Defense Command, standing alert and performing air defense training, 1958-1963. During this period, was runner-up twice for the Hughes Trophy, 1961 and 1962, and won the trophy for outstanding performance as an air defense squadron for 1963. After moving back to the US in June 1964, equipped with F-4 aircraft and took part in tactical exercises, operational readiness inspections, and proficiency training. Combat in Southeast Asia (SEA), December 1964-January 1973. During this period, the 497th flew "Night Owl" interdiction missions and armed reconnaissance, led Navy pathfinder missions to numerous targets, and the first B-52s to targets in North Vietnam. Retained a combat capability until 16 September 1974 when the 8 Tactical Fighter Wing, its parent unit, moved to South Korea. In 1978, the squadron was once again assigned to the 8 Tactical Fighter Wing when it was activated at Taegu AB, South Korea, sharing the base with the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF). Aircrews trained to remain proficient in close air support, interdiction, and air-to-air combat skills until 1989. Coordinated combat training and exercises in PACAF, 1991-present.
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Origin/meaning
The Emblem was approved on 28 September 1971.
Literature: Image from Wikimedia Commons. Information from https://www.afhra.af.mil/
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