81st Flying Training Wing (World War II)

The mission of the wing was to provide both Classification and Preflight stage training to air cadets who had completed Training Command basic indoctrination training.^[1]

• Classification Stage processed the cadet and issued him his equipment. This was the stage where it would be decided whether the cadet would train as a navigator, bombardier, or pilot.^[1]
• Pre-Flight Stage taught the mechanics and physics of flight and required the cadets to pass courses in mathematics and the hard sciences. Then, the cadets were taught to apply their knowledge practically by teaching them aeronautics, deflection shooting, and thinking in three dimensions. The 81st FTW was the only wing which provided preflight training for pilots, navigators and bombardiers^[1]

Once the cadet successfully completed the training at the center, they would be assigned to one of the AAF primary flight schools for initial flying training.^[1]

• Established as the 81st Flying Training Wing on 14 October 1943

Activated on 25 August 1943

Disbanded on 1 November 1945 ^[2]

• Army Air Forces Western Flying Training Command, 25 August 1943–30 June 1945^[2]

• Army Air Forces Classification Center, 30 April 1942–1 May 1944^[3]
• Army Air Forces Preflight School (Pilot), 30 April 1942–1 May 1944^[3]
• 1040th Army Air Forces Base Unit, 1 May 1944–1 November 1945^[3]

• Santa Ana Army Air Base, California, 25 August 1943–30 June 1945^[2]

• Army Air Forces Training Command
• Other Training Command Preflight/classification Units:

74th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Eastern Flying Training Command

78th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Central Flying Training Command

• Other Western Flying Training Command Flight Training Wings:

35th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Basic/Advanced Flight Training (California)

36th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Primary Flight Training

37th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Basic/Advanced Flight Training (Arizona)

38th Flying Training Wing (World War II) Bombardier and Specialized 2/4-Engine Training

 This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency