USAF's 560th Flying Training Squadron legacy lives on
During a ceremony at the beginning of October 2025, the 560th Flying Training Squadron Chargin’ Cheetahs, part of the 12th Flying Training Wing at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph (TX), was inactivated.
USAF's Air Education and Training Command (AETC) has now merged the 560th FTS into the 435th Fighter Training Squadron Deadly Black Eagles to consolidate Northrop T-38C operations and implement the new Fighter Bomber Fundamentals (FBF)/Pilot Instructor Training (PIT) programme at Randolph.
Because of these new developments within the USAF, the 435th FTS will oversee syllabus events for FBF PIT transition, FBF PIT employment and legacy introduction to Fighter Fundamentals wingmen. The syllabus consolidation is designed to allow a Training Wing to support the command’s efforts to scale the FBF programme to all AETC and Training Command pilot training bases except for the 80th Flying Training Wing at Sheppard AFB (TX).
The merger will bring gradual changes for students and instructors as training evolves toward a fully integrated FBF PIT structure. Daily operation will remain largely the same in the near term, but more significant adjustments are expected as new syllabi are developed and the aircraft fleet is consolidated. Crossflow between Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) and PIT instructor pilots will enable instructors to teach both transition and employment phases of the syllabus.
As for the Chargin’ Cheetahs, the heritage of the 560th FTS will be preserved. In March 1973, all American troops left the Vietnam conflict as per the Paris Peace Accords, and in that same month, the Chargin’ Cheetahs were selected to retrain repatriated US prisoners of war, shot down in combat, to resume their flying activities. The 560th FTS had hosted the reunion every year since then (with the exception of 2020) bringing together a group of Airmen united by a shared experience. It is expected that the Deadly Black Eagles will take over the heritage. The yearly reunion and associated activities honour the sacrifices of Prisoner Of Wars (POWs) and their families, providing a unique opportunity for others to learn about their experiences. For now, the 560th FTS squadron items, including the flag and patches, will be placed in a heraldry container and transferred to the USAF Museum at Wright-Patterson AFB (OH).
Credit photos: USAF