The Air Education and Training Command (AETC) Studies and Analysis Squadron (SAS) has roots that date back to World War II, as a connection can be traced to the Air Corps Flying Training Command of that time period. The AETC is responsible for developing trained and motivated personnel for the United States Air Force, whilst the SAS oversees the administrative component of the military body, using evaluation tools to "predict resource requirements for more than five years into the future".
Contents
History
The original Ravens served in World War II as the 21st Bombardment Group with a heavy bombardment mission. During the Vietnam War, they provided visual reconnaissance, airborne forward air control for tactical offensive operations and gave theater indoctrination flight checks for newly assigned aircrew members as the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron.
In May 1991, the 3307th Test and Evaluation Squadron was established to perform tests and evaluations of new Air Training Command (ATC) systems such as aircraft, simulators and software to determine if these acquisitions met operational requirements. Seventeen months later, in September 1992, the 3307 TES inherited the history and honors of the Ravens by assuming the designation of the 21 TES.
In March 1994, the 21 TES was re-designated the AETC Studies and Analysis Flight and assigned directly to HQ AETC. In April 1997, the AETC Studies and Analysis Flight and the 602nd Training Support Squadron (602TRSS), Edwards AFB, CA, were combined and re-designated the AETC SAS. The 602 TRSS was re-designated Detachment 1 SAS and brought with it extensive training development experience in nearly every major weapon system acquisition since 1972.
In November 1997, the squadron established the Technology Innovation Flight (IT) to determine the effectiveness and return on investment of new concepts and off-the-shelf technology in education and training. In January 2003, AETC inactivated the three Operating Locations operating under Detachment 1 SAS. In May 2003, Detachment 1 downsized from 13 authorizations to 5 and deleted the training assessment function. In October 2003, Detachment 1 was re-designated as Operating Location A (OL-A).
OL-A was inactivated per Special Order G-08-11 effective 31 July 2008. The personnel at OL-A were relocated to AETC SAS, Training Analysis (TA) Flight. In June 2010, Strategy Management joined SAS in order to be responsible for the command headquarters lead program managers for AETC Strategy Management. Later, in November 2011, Strategy Management changed to the Strategy Analysis Flight to be responsible for the Directorate of Plans, Programs, Requirements and Assessments Strategy Management.
Lineage
AETC traces its lineage through the 21st Bombardment Squadron [Heavy], which was constituted November 20, 1940; activated January 15, 1941; and disbanded November 1, 1943. The unit was reconstituted September 19th, 1985, consolidated with the 21st Bombardment Squadron, Very Heavy, which was constituted March 28, 1944; activated April 1st, 1944; inactivated May 10, 1944; reactivated June 1st, 1944; and inactivated June 10, 1946. Also included in the consolidation was the 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron (constituted 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron [Light]), which was activated on April 26th, 1965; organized May 8, 1965; inactivated February 21st, 1973; re-designated 21st Tactical Air Support Squadron on July 17th, 1973; and reactivated on August 31, 1973. The consolidated unit was inactivated on November 1st, 1991, redesignated the 21st Test and Evaluation Squadron on September 1st, 1992, and activated on September 15th 1992. The squadron was re-designated the Air Education and Training Command Studies and Analysis Flight on March 31st, 1994 and redesignated the Air Education and Training Command Studies and Analysis Squadron on April 1st, 1997.
Service Streamers
None
World War II, American Theater
Antisubmarine 1941-1945
World War II, Asiatic-Pacific Theater
Aleutian Islands 1942-1943
Eastern Mandates 1943-1944
Western Pacific 1944-1945
Air Offensive, Japan 1942-1945
Vietnam
Vietnam Defensive 1965-1966
Vietnam Air 1966
Vietnam Air Offensive 1966-1967
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase II 1967-1968
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III 1968
Vietnam Air/Ground 1968
Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV 1968-1969
TET 69/Counteroffensive 1969
Vietnam Summer/Fall 1969
Vietnam Winter/Spring 1969-1970
Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
Southwest Monsoon 1970
Commando Hunt V 1970-1971
Commando Hunt VI 1971
Commando Hunt VII 1971-1972
Vietnam Ceasefire 1972-1973
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers
None
Decorations
Distinguished Unit Citations: Japan, 6-13 Jul 1945
Presidential Unit Citations (Southeast Asia): 1 Aug 1965-1 Feb 1966; 2 Feb 1966-28 Feb 1967; 1 Aug 1963-31 Aug 1969; 1 Jan-31 Dec 1970; 30 Jan-31 Dec 1971
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat “V” Device: 15 Mar 1972-21 Feb 1973
Air force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Aug 1974-15 Jun 1975; 16 Jun 1975-31 May 1977; 1 May 1981-30 Apr 1983; 1 May 1983-30 Apr 1985; 1 May 1985-30 Apr 1987; 15 Sep 1992-30 Jun 1993; 1 Jul 1993-3 Mar 1994
Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm: 8 Feb-31 Mar 1971; 1 Apr 1971-9 Mar 1972; 1 Apr 1966-28 Jan 1973