Fear the roar of the Bengal Tigers

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Kaleb Snay
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  When you hear the roar, try not to flinch. The 37th Flying Training Wing Bengal Tigers are here to show the world what flying is all about.

The 37 FTS operates the T-6 Texan II aircraft to conduct flight training for beginner pilots. What is now the 37 FTS was first established as the 37th Pursuit Squadron in January 1941.

The 37th Fighter Squadron saw combat during World War II in the Mediterranean and European Theaters, and was awarded a Distinguished Unit Citation for action over Austria in 1944. It was inactivated after war's end in 1945.

The squadron was active with Air Defense Command in the northeastern United States from 1946 to 1949. Originally equipped with propeller fighters, it became one of the first units equipped with the Republic F-84 Thunderjet.

From 1952 to 1960, the 37th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron', was assigned the mission of defending the northeastern United States.

It wasn't until 1972 that the squadron was known as the 37 FTS.

"Our mission is to produce pilots," said Lt. Col. Jason Loe, 37 FTS director of operations. "One thing is for sure, once they go through the 37 FTS, they will know exactly what they need to operate an aircraft."

Pilots are taken through four basic categories of aviation while in the 37 FTS before they can proceed in their training. They cover contact, final contact, instruments and formation.
"This is where I got my 'roots' for flying," said 1st Lt. Braden Bawcom, 37 FTS instructor pilot. "before I was an instructor pilot, I came through the 37 FTS myself. As I'm teaching, I'm often reminded of techniques and rules of thumb that I learned from my instructors here and I love that I'm able to pass them on to the next generation of pilots."

Before arriving at the 37 FTS, pilots must train through Initial Flight Screening program where they learn the basic flight principles, although they still have very little actual flight experience by the time they arrive.

Every flight room in the 37 FTS is named after an aircraft from their Air Force history. With six flights total, the squadron pairs two flights together, teaching three classes of pilots at a time.

"Air Power starts here," said Loe. "Without pilot training squadrons, there are no pilots. We are essentially 'Where the rubber meets the road' when it comes to producing educated pilots in a timeframe of about 5 months."

With such strong heritage and a vital mission comes a bigger emphasis on teamwork.
"Our camaraderie is one of the best things about our squadron," said Bawcom. "We get to know each other very well and it helps build morale more and more every day."

The 37 FTS has trained thousands of pilots over the years and still continues to do so with vigilance.

"It's very gratifying being able to teach someone who knows very little to nothing about flying and transforming them into capable pilots," said Loe. "Our squadron has a strong foundation with its rich Air Force heritage, and our Air Force is always going to need new pilots, so I'm proud our squadron has such an integral part supporting our country."