Lineage. Constituted 96 Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on 9 Feb 1942. Redesignated: 96 Pursuit Squadron (I) (Twin Engine) on 22 Apr 1942; 96 Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942; 96 Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 28 Feb 1944. Inactivated on 9 Sep 1945. Activated on 12 Apr 1947. Redesignated 96 Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 15 Aug 1947. Inactivated on 2 Oct 1949. Redesignated 96 Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 Sep 1952. Activated on 1 Nov 1952. Inactivated on 8 Jan 1958. Redesignated 96 Flying Training Squadron on 22 Jun 1972. Activated on 1 Feb 1973. Inactivated on 26 Jun 1992. Activated in the Reserve on 1 Apr 1998.
Assignments. 82 Pursuit (later, 82 Fighter) Group, 9 Feb 1942-9 Sep 1945. 82 Fighter Group, 12 Apr 1947-2 Oct 1949. 4710 Defense Wing, 1 Nov 1952; 525 Air Defense Group, 16 Feb 1953; 82 Fighter Group, 18 Aug 1955-8 Jan 1958. 82 Flying Training Wing, 1 Feb 1973; 82 Operations Group, 15 Dec 1991-26 Jun 1992. 340 Flying Training Group, 1 Apr 1998-.
Stations. Harding Field, LA, 9 Feb 1942; Muroc, CA, 30 Apr 1942; Glendale, CA, 18 May-16 Sep 1942; Eglington, Northern Ireland, 5 Oct 1942; Tafaraoui, Algeria, 24 Dec 1942; Telergma, Algeria, 1 Jan 1943; Berteaux, Algeria, 1 Apr 1943; Souk-el-Arba, Algeria, 13 Jun 1943; Grombalia, Tunisia, 4 Aug 1943 (operated from Maddalina, Sicily, 6-18 Sep 1943); San Pancrazio, Italy, c. 3 Oct 1943; Lecce, Italy, 10 Oct 1943; Vincenzo Airfield, Italy, 11 Jan 1944; Lesina, Italy, c. 30 Aug-9 Sep 1945. Grenier Field (later, AFB), NH, 12 Apr 1947-2 Oct 1949 (deployed at Ladd AFB, AK, 4 Apr-29 Jun 1948). New Castle Aprt, DE, 1 Nov 1952-8 Jan 1958. Williams AFB, AZ, 1 Feb 1973-26 Jun 1992. Laughlin AFB, TX, 1 Apr 1998-.
Commanders. Unkn, 9 Feb-30 Apr 1942; Capt Roy M. Loe, 1 May 1942; 1 Lt F. P. Jenks, 24 May 1942; Maj Harley C. Vaughn, 16 Jul 1942; Capt Raymond H. Lynn, 25 Jun 1943; Maj Buddy A. Strozier, 2 Jul 1943; Maj Donald L. Perry, 29 Sep 1943; Maj Clayton M. Isaacson, 21 Mar 1944; Maj Richard E. Willsie, Aug 1944; Lt Col Charles P. Hardy, c. Feb 1945; Lt Col Franklin H. MacNaughton, May-5 Sep 1945. None (not manned), 12 Apr-15 Jun 1947; Maj William F. Wilkerson, 16 Jun 1947; Maj George L. Jones, c. Jul-2 Oct 1949. Lt Col Jack C. West, 1 Nov 1952; Maj James M. Thomas, c. Jan 1953; Maj John F. Ambrecht, c. Aug 1954; Maj Dwaine A. Sandborn, Nov 1955; Lt Col McClung, 1956; Lt Col Herbert L. Phillips, c. Jul 1956; Maj Robert B. Moorhead, 1957-c. 8 Oct 1957; none (not manned), 8 Oct 1957-8 Jan 1958. Col Russell C. Roberts Jr, 1 Feb 1973; Lt Col Richard A. Griffin, 12 Feb 1974; Lt Col Albert R. Langford Jr., 15 Jun 1975; Lt Col Bache, by Jun 1976; Lt Col Duane G. Divich, by Jun 1977; Lt Col Benny J. Atkins, 27 Jun 1979; Lt Col Robert J. W. Desanto Jr., 12 Mar 1981; Lt Col Gerald M. Bergeman, 10 Dec 1981; Lt Col Robert M. Negley Jr., 23 Jul 1983; Lt Col William C. Henny, 24 May 1985; Lt Col Ernest J. Houghton, 26 Jul 1986; Lt Col Wolfgang E. K. Gesch, 19 Jul 1988; Lt Col Linwood N. Chayer, 2 Jul 1990-26 Jun 1992. Lt Col Julie Tizard, 1 Apr 1998-.
Aircraft. P-38, 1942-1945. P (later, F)-51, 1947-1949. F-94, 1952-1957. T-37, 1973-1992. T-37, 1998-; T-38, 1998-; T-1, 1998-.
Operations. Combat in the ETO and MTO, 25 Dec 1942-6 May 1945. Fighter escort and air defense, 1947-1949. Air defense, 1952-1957. Conducted jet pilot training, 1973-1992. Since Apr 1998 has trained Air Force Reserve instructor pilots.
Service Streamers. None.
Campaign Streamers. World War II: Air Offensive, Europe; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; North Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; Air Combat, EAME Theater.
Armed Forces Expeditionary Streamers. None.
Decorations. Distinguished Unit Citations: Italy, 25 Aug 1943; Italy, 2 Sep 1943; Ploesti, Rumania, 10 Jun 1944. Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards: 1 Jan 1978-30 Apr 1979; 1 May 1983-30 Apr 1985; 1 Jun 1989-31 May 1991.
Lineage, Assignments, Stations, and Honors through 6 Apr 2001.
Commanders, Aircraft, and Operations through 30 Sep 1998.
Supersedes statement prepared on 25 Aug 1998.
Emblem. Approved on 18 Aug 1942.
Prepared by Daniel L. Haulman.
Approved by Judy G. Endicott.