325th Tng Sqdn History

Contributed by Maj. Scott Witte, USAF

The “Screaming Eagles” began as the 325th Fighter Control Squadron in April of 1943. In December of 1943, the unit moved to North Africa to support the operations of the 325th Fighter Wing and other American and Allied flying units. Moving its radar with the front lines, the squadron saw action throughout the Mediterranean and Southern Europe and earned battle streamers for Rome, 1944; Southern France, 1944, and the Rhineland, 1945. The squadron was disbanded in early 1945 when German air activity had effectively ceased.

The present squadron was activated at Tyndall in 1947, making it the base’s oldest surviving resident. Over the past 54 years the squadron has taught radar operations and maintenance to tens of thousands of personnel of all ranks. Today, the school teaches five primary courses. Officers attend the 9-month Air Battle Manager course. They learn doctrine, radar theory, surveillance operations, basic fighter control using simulated aircraft, contract-flown MU-2 aircraft, and 325 FW F-15s, as well as wartime E-3 operations and joint tactical operations. Graduates go on to fly the E-3 AWACS or the E-8 JSTARS. Enlisted AWACS Weapons Directors attend a 90-day course that focuses on basic fighter control using the Airborne Warning And Control System (AWACS) trainer. The enlisted Joint Surveillance System operators earn their 3-level skill rating on Sector Air Operations Center (SAOC) radar surveillance equipment. Over 100 officers from around the world come to Tyndall every year to attend two different advanced command and control courses for foreign Air Battle Managers. The unit also provides range control to all 325 FW aircraft as well as visiting units.

Maj Scott J. Witte
325 TRS/DOA
DSN: 523-2967
Comm: 850-283-2967