31st Combat Training Squadron

The squadron operates the Virtual Test and Training Center, a multi-domain, advanced training, tactics, and testing campus, supporting the USAF Weapons School. It supports operational test, combatant command exercises, and colored flag exercises. The mission of the 31st is to enhance, sustain, and operate a synthetic environment to optimize warfighting capabilities and ready aircrew. ==History==

World War II Defense of the Panama Canal The squadron was constituted in 1939 as the 31st Pursuit Squadron and activated on 1 February 1940 at Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone The unit was part of the build-up of the Canal Zone's defenses as war approached. It was initially equipped with a mixture of second-line pursuit aircraft, including Boeing P-26A Peashooters, Northrup A-17 Nomads, and some North American BC-1s. The mission of the squadron was air defense of the Panama Canal. In July 1941, the Squadron started re-equipping with new Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. The Squadron was briefly moved to Rio Hato Field on 5 October 1940 and, following a month there, returned to Albrook on 13 November, where it remained until 24 November 1941. as the AAF replaced the 412th with the 1st Fighter Group. Air Defense The squadron was reactivated as the 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, an element Air Defense Command at Larson Air Force Base, Washington in early 1953 and assigned to the 4702d Defense Wing. The squadron was engaged in the air defense of the Pacific Northwest. In the summer of 1955 ADC implemented Project Arrow, which was designed to bring back on the active list the fighter units which had compiled memorable records in the two world wars and associate them with their traditional headquarters. As a result, the mission, personnel and equipment of the 31st were transferred to the 322d Fighter-Interceptor Squadron IAW ADC "Project Arrow". The squadron was again reactivated in 1956 at Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan This was part of TAC's program to replace its Major Command controlled (MAJCON)units with USAF controlled (AFCON) units that were able to carry a permanent lineage and history. The squadron conducted RF-4C Phantom II training for tactical reconnaissance aircrews. The squadron was inactivated in 1971 due to reduced training requirements, and its aircraft assigned to the 33d Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron. In 1982, the squadron became the 31st Tactical Training Squadron and was activated at Homestead Air Force Base, Florida. In 1988, the 31st Tactical Fighter Wing's mission switched from training to readiness as a fighter unit and the squadron was inactivated. In April 2021, the squadron became the 31st Combat Training Squadron and was activated at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada. ==Lineage==

• Constituted as the 31st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 22 December 1939 : Activated on 1 February 1940 : Redesignated 31st Fighter Squadron (Single Engine) on 15 May 1942 : Inactivated on 25 May 1944 • Activated on 19 August 1944 : Inactivated on 3 July 1946 • Redesignated 31st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 February 1953 : Activated on 20 April 1953 : Inactivated on 18 August 1955 • Activated on 8 June 1956 : Inactivated on 8 October 1958 • Redesignated 31st Tactical Reconnaissance Training Squadron on 18 August 1969 : Organized on 15 October 1969 • Redesignated 31st Tactical Training Squadron on 20 April 1982 • Redesignated 31st Combat Training Squadron : Activated on 9 April 2021 Assignments • 37th Pursuit Group, 1 February 1940 (later 37th Fighter Group) • XXVI Fighter Command, 1 November 1943 • Second Air Force, 8 April – 25 May 1944 • 412th Fighter Group, 19 August 1944 – 3 July 1946 • 4702d Defense Wing, 20 April 1953 • 9th Air Division, 8 October 1954 – 18 August 1955 • 412th Fighter Group, 8 June 1956 • 10th Air Division, 20 August 1957 – 8 October 1958 • 363d Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, 16 October 1969 – 18 February 1971 • 31st Tactical Training Wing (later 31st Tactical Fighter Wing), 1 May 1982 – 9 May 1988 • Nevada Test and Training Range, 9 April 2021 – present Stations • Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, 1 February 1940 • Rio Hato Field, Panama, 5 October 1940 • Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, 13 November 1940 • La Chorrera Army Airfield, Panama, 9 December 1941 • Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, 23 December 1941 • La Chorrera Army Airfield, Panama, 3 February 1942 • Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, 19 May 1942 • Howard Field, Panama Canal Zone, 30 September 1942 – 25 March 1944 • Lincoln Army Air Field, Nebraska, 8 April – 25 May 1944 • Palmdale Army Air Field, California, 19 August 1944 • Santa Maria Army Air Field, California, 10 July 1945 • March Field, California, 6 December 1945 – 3 July 1946 • Larson Air Force Base, Washington, 20 April 1953 – 18 August 1955 • Wurtsmith Air Force Base, Michigan, 8 June 1956 • Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, 20 August 1957 – 8 October 1958 • Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, 16 October 1969 – 18 February 1971 • Homestead Air Force Base, Florida, 1 May 1982 – 9 May 1988 • Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, c. 9 April 2021 – present Aircraft • Boeing P-26 Peashooter, 1940–1942 • Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, 1941–1944 • Bell P-39 Airacobra, 1942–1944 • Curtiss A-25 Helldiver, 1944 • Lockheed P-38 Lightning, 1944 • Douglas A-24 Banshee, 1944–1945 • Bell P-63 Kingcobra, 1944–1945 • YP/P-59A Airacomet, 1944–1945 • XP-80 Shooting Star, 1944–1945 • North American P-51 Mustang, 1945–1946 • Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star, 1945–1946 • North American F-86D Sabre, 1953–1955 • Convair F-102 Delta Dagger, 1956–1958 • McDonnell RF-4C Phantom II, 1969-1971 ==References==