30th Flying Training Wing (World War II)

History

The wing was a World War II command and control organization which supported Training Command flight schools in the Lower Great Lakes and Southeastern United States. The assigned schools provided phase III advanced two-engine flying training for air cadets, along with advanced B-24 Invader and B-25 Mitchell transition training for experienced pilots for reassignment to other flying units. Single-engine transition training was also instructed. Air cadet graduates of the advanced schools were commissioned as second lieutenants, received their Aircrew Badge ("wings") and were reassigned to operational or replacement training units operated by one of the four numbered air fores in the zone of interior.

As training requirements changed during the war, schools were activated and inactivated or transferred to meet those requirements.

Lineage

Established as 30th Flying Training Wing on 17 December 1942

Activated on 26 December 1942 Disbanded on 13 October 1946.

Assignments

Army Air Forces Southeast Training Center, 26 December 1942

Army Air Forces Eastern Flying Training Command, 15 September 1943

Army Air Forces Western Flying Training Command, 15 December 1945

Army Air Forces Flying Training Command, 1 January 1946

Flying Division, Air Training Command, 1 July-13 October 1946.

Training aircraft

The two-engine advanced flying schools flew several trainers, designed for different tactical aircraft

The Cessna AT-17 (AT-8)s were used for transport pilot training

The Curtiss-Wright AT-9 was a high-performance trainer, to simulate P-38 Lightning two-engine fighters

The Beechcraft AT-10 was used for bomber pilot training

Stations

Jackson Army Airbase, Mississippi, 26 December 1942

Columbus Army Airfield, Mississippi, 15 September 1943

Turner Army Airfield, Georgia, 13 September 1944

Randolph Field, Texas, 31 Jul-13 Oct 1946.