99 years of knowledge: Anniversary of the 436th Training Squadron

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Quay Drawdy
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
The 436th Training Squadron at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, celebrated its 99th anniversary on Aug. 17, 2016.

Having undergone several mission and command changes since it’s activation in 1917, the 436th TS currently provides joint-force operational support training, several of the training programs are exclusively available at Dyess.

“The 436th is charged with producing operational support functional training and multimedia training videos for the United States Air Force,” said Lt. Col. Edward Brennan, 436th TS commander. “Several of our courses and multimedia training videos are used across the DoD, being offered to joint services and civilians throughout the department.”

The 436th TS has a long and distinguished history. The unit designated as the 88th Aero Squadron Aug. 18, 1917 at Kelly Airfield in Texas, providing observation and reconnaissance support during World War I. At the start of World War II, the Squadron flew the B-17 Flying Fortress. In 1942, the 88th AS became the 436th Bombardment Squadron flying B-24 Liberators, B-36 Peacemakers and eventually the B-52 Stratofortresses before their inactivation 21 years later in 1963.

In 1986, the former 436th BS was reactivated with a new name and mission: training joint services as the 436th Strategic Training Squadron for Strategic Air Command. The 436th STS was active for six years before Strategic Command merged with Tactical Air Command, forming the now Air Combat Command and the current 436th Training Squadron.

“The 436th provides some of the only operational support training in the United States Air Force,” Brennan said. “Although our Airmen may not be the ones flying the missions or dropping the bombs anymore, they are the men and women who directly support the Airmen who do. We train the folks that make sure every mission is performed correctly and safely.”