306th Flying Training Group

The 306th Flying Training Group is a United States Air Force training organization assigned to the United States Air Force Academy near Colorado Springs, Colorado. Its present mission centers on airmanship education for academy cadets and aviation-related training and oversight for Air Force officer candidates. The group operates and supports the academy airfield, provides powered flight and glider instruction, conducts freefall parachute training, manages airfield and airspace functions, and oversees the Initial Flight Screening program for prospective pilots and combat systems officers. The current organization was activated in October 2004, replacing the 34th Operations Group. The 306th designation was selected to connect the modern training organization with the lineage and heritage of the World War II 306th Bombardment Group. That earlier formation was activated on 1 March 1942 and became the first operational heavy bombardment group assigned to VIII Bomber Command's Eighth Air Force in the European theater. Based at RAF Thurleigh in Bedfordshire from September 1942, it remained at that station longer than any other Eighth Air Force bombardment group during the war. During World War II, the unit flew Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses against German and German-occupied targets. It participated in strategic bombing, attacks on submarine facilities, aircraft factories, rail centers, oil installations, chemical plants, airfields, and other military-industrial targets. On 27 January 1943, it led the first Eighth Air Force heavy-bomber attack against a strategic target in Germany, striking the U-boat facilities at Wilhelmshaven. It later supported the Normandy invasion, the Saint-Lô breakout, Operation Market Garden, the Battle of the Bulge, and the airborne assault across the Rhine. The group received two Distinguished Unit Citations for missions in January and February 1944. The unit also became closely associated with the novel and motion picture Twelve O'Clock High. Experiences involving the 306th and its commanders helped inspire the story, giving the designation a continuing place in popular accounts of American heavy-bomber operations. Staff Sergeant Maynard H. Smith of the 423d Bombardment Squadron received the Medal of Honor for actions during a combat mission on 1 May 1943, when he helped suppress a fire, defended his aircraft, and treated wounded crewmates. After the war, the group performed occupation and aerial-mapping duties in Europe before being inactivated in December 1946. It was reactivated in 1947 under Strategic Air Command and later operated or trained with B-29 Superfortresses and B-47 Stratojets, while also acquiring an air-refueling role through the 306th Air Refueling Squadron. The group was inactivated again on 16 June 1952 when its operational squadrons were transferred to the 306th Bombardment Wing. From 1954 to 1992, the group's lineage and honors were associated with successor 306th wing and strategic organizations. In the modern era, the group combines historical continuity with an education-focused mission. Its current squadrons support cadet flying, glider operations, parachuting, powered flight, airfield management, and initial screening for officer aviation candidates. Initial Flight Screening is conducted through a civilian-contractor program at Pueblo Memorial Airport, Colorado, with Air Force personnel providing military supervision and training standards. Following the inactivation and later reactivation of Nineteenth Air Force, the group has operated within the Air Education and Training Command structure and is now a geographically separated unit of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas.

The lineage of the 306th Flying Training Group begins with the 306th Bombardment Group, constituted on 28 January 1942 and activated at Salt Lake City Army Air Base, Utah, on 1 March of that year. The group moved to Wendover Army Air Field in April and trained for heavy-bomber operations with Boeing B-17E aircraft. In August 1942, its personnel and aircraft began the movement to the United Kingdom, where the group joined VIII Bomber Command's Eighth Air Force at RAF Thurleigh in Bedfordshire. The 306th conducted its first combat operations in the European theater in October 1942. It attacked targets in France, Belgium, and Germany, including submarine facilities, rail yards, aircraft plants, oil facilities, chemical works, ball-bearing factories, foundries, and airfields. On 27 January 1943, the group attacked the German naval facilities at Wilhelmshaven, becoming the first Eighth Air Force heavy-bombardment group to lead an attack against a strategic target in Germany. Its wartime record later included completion of 300 missions over occupied Europe and Germany, as well as participation in both strategic and tactical operations. The group received particular recognition for combat missions on 11 January and 22 February 1944. On the first date, it attacked aircraft factories in central Germany despite strong opposition and without normal fighter support, earning a Distinguished Unit Citation. On 22 February, during the intensive Big Week campaign against the German aircraft industry, it successfully bombed an aircraft assembly plant at Bernberg and received a second citation. The group also supported the Allied ground campaign, striking transportation and coastal targets before and during D-Day, assisting the Saint-Lô breakthrough, supporting Operation Market Garden, attacking German positions during the Battle of the Bulge, and contributing to the airborne crossing of the Rhine during Operation Varsity. Individual members of the group also received public recognition. On 1 May 1943, Staff Sergeant Maynard H. Smith of the 423d Bombardment Squadron acted during a dangerous aircraft emergency by throwing explosive ammunition overboard, operating a gun against attacking fighters, tending a wounded crewmember, and helping extinguish a fire. He was awarded the Medal of Honor. The unit's wartime experiences also contributed material and inspiration to Twelve O'Clock High, a novel and film about the pressures and leadership challenges of heavy-bomber operations. The 306th received additional public attention in July 1944 when the British royal family visited RAF Thurleigh and Princess Elizabeth ceremonially christened a replacement B-17 named Rose of York. After Germany's defeat, the group was selected for occupation duties and participated in the Casey Jones aerial-mapping project. It moved from Thurleigh to Giebelstadt, Germany, in December 1945, then to Istres, France, in February 1946, where it absorbed remnants of the 92d and 384th Bombardment Groups. It later returned to Germany, operating from Fürstenfeldbruck and Lechfeld, but was inactivated on 25 December 1946 after its flying role had largely ended. The organization was reactivated on 1 July 1947 as a Strategic Air Command bombardment group. Initially associated with the B-29 Superfortress, it was redesignated a medium bombardment group in 1948. The arrival of B-47 Stratojets transformed its training role, and the group also gained an air-refueling mission when the 306th Air Refueling Squadron was activated in 1950. The unit received an operational B-47B in November 1951, but was inactivated on 16 June 1952 as SAC reorganized its bomb groups and transferred operational squadrons to the 306th Bombardment Wing. Its lineage and honors were subsequently carried by related 306th wing and strategic organizations for portions of the Cold War. The current 306th Flying Training Group was redesignated on 30 September 2004 and activated on 4 October 2004 at the United States Air Force Academy. It assumed the academy's airmanship-training mission and oversight of Initial Flight Screening for aviation candidates commissioned through the academy, Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps, and Officer Training School. The group now includes the 1st Flying Training Squadron, 94th Flying Training Squadron, 98th Flying Training Squadron, 306th Operations Support Squadron, and 557th Flying Training Squadron. These units provide powered flight, glider, parachute, and flight-support activities while maintaining airfield and airspace functions for the academy and its auxiliary field.

• 2004

  Reactivation as a flying-training group

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 306th designation returned to active service when the 306th Flying Training Group was activated at the United States Air Force Academy.

• 1952

  Second inactivation

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was inactivated on 16 June as SAC transferred its operational squadrons to the 306th Bombardment Wing.

• 1950

  Air-refueling mission added

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 306th Air Refueling Squadron was activated and assigned to the group, expanding its Cold War mission.

• 1947

  Strategic Air Command reactivation

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group was reactivated at MacDill Air Force Base as a SAC bombardment organization.

• 1946

  Postwar inactivation

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  After occupation and mapping duties in Europe, the group was inactivated on 25 December.

• 1944

  Distinguished Unit Citation missions

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group earned Distinguished Unit Citations for missions against German aircraft-industry targets on 11 January and 22 February.

• 1943

  First Eighth Air Force heavy-bomber strategic attack in Germany

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  On 27 January, the group attacked the U-boat facilities at Wilhelmshaven, marking a major early milestone in the Eighth Air Force strategic bombing campaign.

• 1943

  Medal of Honor action by Maynard H. Smith

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  Staff Sergeant Maynard H. Smith performed emergency and defensive actions aboard a damaged bomber on 1 May and later received the Medal of Honor.

• 1942

  Constitution and activation

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The 306th Bombardment Group was constituted in January and activated on 1 March at Salt Lake City Army Air Base, beginning heavy-bomber training in Utah.

• 1942

  Arrival at RAF Thurleigh

  [1]306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org

  The group arrived in England in September and established its long-term wartime base at RAF Thurleigh.

An Air Force Academy aviation-training organization that combines undergraduate airmanship education with the operational heritage of the World War II 306th Bombardment Group.

• Military aviation training · 2004

  Powered flight training

  The group's powered-flight units provide foundational aviation experience for United States Air Force Academy cadets and support flight training for Air Force aviation candidates. The instruction forms part of the academy's broader airmanship curriculum and complements later specialized pilot and combat-systems training.

• Military aviation training · 2004

  Glider training

  The 94th Flying Training Squadron conducts glider operations for academy cadets. Glider instruction develops basic airmanship, aircraft control, judgment, and confidence without the propulsion systems used in powered aircraft.

• Parachute training · 2004

  Wings of Blue parachute training

  The 98th Flying Training Squadron, known as the Wings of Blue, conducts freefall parachute training. The activity is a prominent part of the academy's airmanship program and provides cadets with controlled exposure to airborne operations.

• Officer aviation screening · 2004

  Initial Flight Screening

  The group oversees Initial Flight Screening for prospective Air Force pilots, remotely piloted aircraft pilots, and combat systems officers commissioned through the academy, Air Force ROTC, and Officer Training School. The flying portion is conducted through a civilian contract program at Pueblo Memorial Airport, while Air Force personnel provide supervision, military training, and standards enforcement.

• 1945Operation Varsity

  Germany

  The group bombed German positions in support of the airborne assault across the Rhine during the final Allied invasion of Germany.

  Outcome. The operation supported the Allied bridgehead and final advance into Germany.

  Source
• 1944Big Week

  Germany

  The group took part in the Allied air offensive against the German aircraft industry from 20 to 25 February, including a difficult attack on an aircraft assembly plant at Bernberg.

  Outcome. The 22 February mission earned the group a Distinguished Unit Citation.

  Source
• 1944Normandy campaign

  France

  On D-Day, the group attacked railroad bridges and coastal artillery positions in support of the Allied landings in Normandy.

  Outcome. The unit contributed to the air campaign supporting the invasion and subsequent movement of Allied ground forces.

  Source
• 1944Operation Market Garden

  Netherlands

  The group attacked transportation and other targets in support of the Allied airborne and ground offensive in the Netherlands.

  Outcome. The operation formed part of the group's broader tactical-support role during the 1944 Allied advance.

  Source
• 1944Battle of the Bulge support

  Belgium · Germany

  During the winter campaign from December 1944 into January 1945, the group attacked German airfields and marshaling yards.

  Outcome. The missions supported efforts to halt the German offensive and disrupt its logistics.

  Source
• 1943Wilhelmshaven strategic bombing campaign

  Germany

  The group attacked the U-boat facilities at Wilhelmshaven on 27 January, helping establish the Eighth Air Force's heavy-bomber campaign against targets in Germany.

  Outcome. The mission became a major lineage distinction as the first Eighth Air Force heavy-bomber attack against a strategic target in Germany.

  Source

• 2004

  Reestablishment of the 306th designation for academy trainingStrategy

  Background

  The Air Force sought to connect the United States Air Force Academy's modern airmanship mission with the historical record of the World War II 306th Bombardment Group.

  Action taken

  The 306th Flying Training Group was redesignated and activated to replace the 34th Operations Group.

  Aftermath

  The group became the academy's principal organization for flight-related education, parachuting, glider operations, and aviation-candidate screening.

  Source

1. 1306th Flying Training Groupen.wikipedia.org