96th FTS honorary commander takes flight
(Left to right) Lt. Col. Arthur Alcantara, 47th Operations Group deputy commander, Laughlin Air Force Base, Del Rio, Texas; Nanca Rodriguez, 86th Flying Training Squadron honorary commander; 96th Flying Training Squadron honorary commander Emily Cooper; and Lt. Col. Keith Shearin, 96th FTS commander pose for a photo after their honorary commander orientation flight. The honorary commander program helps strengthen relationships between bases and local civic leaders. The 96th FTS is part of the 340th Flying Training Group and is the Reserve associate to the 47th Flying Training Wing. The squadron supplements the wing’s four active flying squadrons by conducting training in the T-6 Texan II, T-1A Jayhawk, and T-38C Talon portions of Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training and Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals Course. The 96th FTS is one of the most highly decorated units with 13 World War II campaign ribbons for service in Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Normandy, Northern France, Southern France, North Apennines, Rhineland, Central Europe, Po Valley, Air Offensive, Europe, and Air Combat, European-African Middle Eastern Campaign. The 96th FTS was also awarded three Distinguished Unit Citations and three Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.