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University of Tennessee Air Force ROTC

University of Tennessee Air Force ROTC (officially Air Force ROTC Detachment 800) is a United States Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) detachment hosted by the University of Tennessee (UT) in Knoxville, Tennessee. The detachment educates UT students enrolled as cadets for service in the officer corps of the Air Force and Space Force. Upon successful completion of the ROTC curriculum and graduation from the university, cadets are commissioned as second lieutenants.[8]

Air Force ROTC Detachment 800
UT Air Force ROTC cadets receive Joint Task Force – Civil Support mission brief, Fort Eustis, Virginia, in 2014
Founded
  • 25 September 1946
  • (78 years, 1 month)
  • (as UT Army Air Corps ROTC)[1][2]
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeReserve Officer Training Corps
RoleMilitary education and training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Air University
Air Force ROTC
HostUniversity of Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee, United States
Nickname(s)Tennessee Volunteers
Tri-Star Wing[3]
ColorsUT Orange & White[4]
   
Mascot(s)Smokey
Decorations
Websiteafrotc.utk.edu
Commanders
Current
commander		Lt Col Damien Johnson[7]
Notable
commanders		Stanley Beck

History

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Background

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Military instruction at UT predates all other American state universities. In 1844, Professor Albert Miller Lea formed a cadet infantry company at the university. The 1862 Morrill Act required military tactics to be taught, and in 1869 the university was made the state’s land-grant institution. In 1916, the National Defense Act formally made this organization into an Army ROTC unit.[9]

Army Aviation Cadet Training Program

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During World War II, the War Manpower Commission requested and UT agreed to host and train 1,200 Army aviation cadets every five months.[10] From the unit's arrival on campus in April 1943 until its departure on June 30, 1944, these cadets and their instructors were organized as the 63rd College Training Detachment (Air Crew).[10][11] In addition to receiving university instruction in English, geography, history, mathematics, physics, and physical education, the detachment provided cadets with 10 hours of flight training,[10][11] initially at McGhee Tyson Airport and later at Knoxville Downtown Island Airport, which cadets reached by pulling themselves across the Tennessee River by ferry. The detachment was among the largest in the nation, training a total of 4,000 airmen, and became the "number one program."[10][11]

Army Air Corps ROTC

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On October 22, 1946, General of the Army Dwight D. Eisenhower, Chief of Staff of the United States Army, signed General Order No. 124 directing the establishment of Army Air Corps ROTC units at UT and 76 other colleges and universities effective at the beginning of the 1946–1947 academic year.[1] These Air ROTC units were initially assigned to Air Training Command; however, a few weeks later, on November 15, 1946, Headquarters Army Air Forces transferred the Air ROTC program from Air Training Command to Air Defense Command.[12] UT's Air ROTC unit was subordinate to Air Defense Command's Fourteenth Air Force, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.[13][14]

UT established its Air ROTC unit within the university's existing Military Department alongside its regular Army ROTC unit.[13] The air unit's first commander and the university's first professor of air science and tactics was Major (later Colonel) Frederick Weston Hyde Jr., a West Point alumnus, World War II B-24 Liberator pilot, and former Stalag Luft III prisoner of war.[15][16][17][18][19]

Classes began on September 25, 1946,[2][20] with an initial enrollment of 30 cadets.[21] By November 1946, enrollment had grown to 46 cadets.[17] The inaugural class of cadets received training in the history of the Army Air Forces, aircraft, air navigation, engine mechanics, and administration procedures.[2] The following summer, 39 cadets reported to Keesler Army Airfield, Mississippi, for 42 days of field training.[13]

Air Force ROTC

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On September 18, 1947, the Air Force became a separate branch of the United States Armed Forces. On September 26, 1947, the United States Department of Defense transferred all units and personnel of the Army Air Forces, including the Air ROTC program, to the Air Force.[12][22] The separation of UT's Air Force ROTC unit from the university's Army ROTC unit was completed on July 11, 1949.[23]

As an Air Force ROTC unit, the unit's early enlisted instructors included Master Sergeant (later Major) Joseph N. Peeden, a Flying Tigers veteran.[24][25][26]

In October 1951, the unit began operating fully independently of UT's Army ROTC unit.[27] As part of this transition, the unit was restructured similar to an Air Force wing composed of groups and squadrons.[28] In that same month, the unit began sponsoring the Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews Squadron of the Arnold Air Society.[29][30][31]

In early 1952, the unit allowed women to enroll in a class, a first in the history of military instruction at UT.[32][23]

Effective August 1, 1952, all 188 Air Force ROTC units nationwide became part of Air University and were organized and designated as detachments of Headquarters Air Force ROTC, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama.[33][34][35] UT's Air Force ROTC unit was designated Detachment 800.[36]

By May 1953, UT separated its Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC programs into their own academic departments; Detachment 800's was named the Department of Air Science and Tactics.[37] By May 1956, the department was renamed the Department of Air Science.[38] By December 1965, the department was renamed the Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies.[39]

In 1963, Detachment 800 began sponsoring the Lieutenant General Frank M. Andrews Chapter of Silver Wings (then known as Angel Flight).[40][41]

The detachment began enrolling women as cadets during the fall semester of 1970. Vicki Wise was the first woman to join.[42]

In 1988, cadets Shaun Fields, Kerry E. Poole, and Donald W. Smith and student Terri Lynn Papes were killed when their rented single-engine plane crashed into the south bank of the French Broad River near Kodak, Tennessee.[43][44]

In 2023, Lieutenant Colonel Damien Johnson, a Detachment 800 alumnus, was assigned as the detachment's commander.[7]

Facilities

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A shortage of on-campus space following World War II caused UT's Army and Air Force ROTC units to relocate from Section X of Neyland Stadium, which had been built for Military Department use in the 1930s, to temporary barracks.[45][46] The barracks were supplemented through the temporary use of other campus spaces.[46] In the late 1940s, government inspectors criticized these arrangements, and the Air Force warned UT that it might discontinue the Air Force ROTC program at the university unless better facilities were made available.[46]

In spring 1958, the ROTC units moved into UT's newly-built Armory-Fieldhouse.[46] In 1966, the Armory-Fieldhouse was expanded to become William B. Stokely Athletics Center.[46][47] Detachment 800 remained headquartered in Stokely Athletics Center until the building's closure in 2012.[47]

In 2013, the detachment relocated to the James D. Hoskins Library building.[48]

Honors

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In 1949, UT ranked sixth among 113 Air Force ROTC units nationwide and first in the South.[49]

In 1969, Detachment 800 received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, at the time the Air Force's highest unit award and the highest award given to an Air Force ROTC detachment. Between 1947 and 1969, only six of the 174 Air Force ROTC detachments nationwide had received the award. The award was presented by Brigadier General B. B. Cassiday Jr., Commandant of Air Force ROTC, at Stokely Athletics Center. General Cassiday said, "It is an uncommon award for uncommon achivement. It requires a performance over an extended period of time that is seldom equalled, and a devotation to duty and to the mission of the Air Force that demonstrates the highest standard of professionalism." UT Chancellor Charles Weaver said the award was "one of the highest honors" ever received by the university.[5]

In 1973, Cadet James D. Markum received the Air Force ROTC Silver Valor Award for aiding the victims of a car accident while traveling to that year’s Arnold Air Society national conclave.[50][51]

In 1981, the detachment's Arnold Air Society squadron won the Hagan Trophy as the most outstanding medium-sized squadron in the nation.[52]

In 2008, Detachment 800 again received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for the period beginning July 1, 2005, and ending June 30, 2007.[6]

In 2010, Detachment 800 received the Right of Line Award, honoring it as the best of 56 Air Force ROTC detachments nationwide enrolling between 76 and 150 cadets. The detachment was evaluated in five categories: production of officers, education, recruiting and retention, university and public relations, and cadet activities. The Air Education and Training Command Inspector General lauded the detachment as "one of the best training programs ever seen."[53][54][55]

Detachment 800 received the Air Force Organizational Excellence Award in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2019, and 2021.[6]

Notable alumni

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  • Charles "Brian" McDaniel, brigadier general and Air Force director of weather[67]
  • Charles E. Reed Jr., retired major general and former mobilization assistant to the commander of Air Force Reserve Command[68]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Dye, Gerald J. (1969). History of Air ROTC, The Ohio State University, 1946–1969 (Report). Ohio State University Centennial Histories. The Ohio State University. pp. 28–29. hdl:1811/75775. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b c "Air ROTC Class At U-T Due To Start". The Knoxville Journal. 21 September 1946. p. 10. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Stephens, Maddie (1 May 2020). "Celebrating Our Graduates: How UT is Honoring Commencement" (Press release). University of Tennessee. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  4. ^ "Color Palettes | Brand Guidelines". Archived from the original on 7 March 2016. Retrieved 12 September 2016.
  5. ^ a b "U-T ROTC Unit Wins Highest AF Award". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 21 November 1969. p. 17. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b c d "Air Force Recognition Programs". Air Force Personnel Services. United States Air Force. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
  7. ^ a b King, Cindi. "Meet UT's New Army and Air Force ROTC Leaders". University of Tennessee. University of Tennessee News & Information. Retrieved 16 August 2023.
  8. ^ "Air Force and Aerospace Studies". 2023–2024 Undergraduate Catalog. University of Tennessee.
  9. ^ Creekmore, Betsey B. (15 October 2018). "ROTC, Army". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  10. ^ a b c d Creekmore, Betsey B. (20 October 2018). "World War II—Army Air Corps Training Program". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 7 June 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Klein, Milton M. (1996). "UT in World War II". Volunteer Moments: Vignettes of the History of the University of Tennessee, 1794-1994. University of Tennessee. p. 59-60.
  12. ^ a b Stancik, William C.; Hall, R. Cargill (July–August 1984). "Air Force ROTC: Its Origins and Early Years" (PDF). Air University Review. 35 (5): 38–51. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  13. ^ a b c "U-T Trainees To Report To Airfield". The Knoxville Journal. 13 June 1947. p. 8. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. ^ "Army Will Inspect U-T ROTC Tomorrow". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 15 May 1950. p. 15. Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "Officers of Instruction, Administration, and Investigation". The University of Tennessee Record. 50 (3). University of Tennessee: 11. May 1947. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Maj. Hyde Follows Dad as Commander of U-T ROTC Unit". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 21 September 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ^ a b "46 Students Are Enrolled in Army's Air Courses at U-T". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 16 November 1946. p. 5. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ^ "Col. Frederick Weston Hyde Jr., Ret. USAF". The Arizona Republic. 25 April 2002. p. 24. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. ^ "Hyde, Frederick Weston, Jr., Ret. Col. USAF". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 26 April 2002. p. 16. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. ^ "Calendar". The University of Tennessee Record. 49 (3). University of Tennessee: 3. May 1946. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  21. ^ "Enrollment Is Slim in Advanced U-T ROTC". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 25 September 1946. p. 12. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  22. ^ "Air Force ROTC". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 13 May 1956. p. 41. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  23. ^ a b Creekmore, Betsey B. (15 October 2018). "ROTC, Air Force—Female Participants". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  24. ^ "Military Department". The University of Tennessee Record. 51 (3). University of Tennessee: 364. May 1948. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  25. ^ "Flying Tiger Vet Here Anxious To Rejoin". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 21 November 1948. p. 6. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Major Wins Degree After Retirement". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3 June 1966. p. 13. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "UT Names Two Staffs For Army Cadet Corps". The Knoxville Journal. 3 October 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  28. ^ "U-T ROTC To Use Two-Platoon Staff". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3 October 1951. p. 23. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  29. ^ "UT Seniors Attend 'Hap' Arnold Meet". The Knoxville Journal. 24 November 1951. p. 5. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  30. ^ The Volunteer. Vol. 58. University of Tennessee. 1955. p. 266.
  31. ^ Creekmore, Betsey B. (4 November 2018). "Arnold Air Society". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  32. ^ "Coeds Gain Admission to UT Air ROTC Class". The Knoxville Journal. 16 January 1952. p. 5. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  33. ^ "Unit Becomes Part Of Air University". The Knoxville Journal. 1 August 1952. p. 14. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  34. ^ "Air University Command Takes Over Air Force ROTC Program Throughout the U.S." Iron County Record. Cedar City, Utah. 14 August 1952. p. 14. Retrieved 2 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  35. ^ Dye, Gerald J. (1969). History of Air ROTC, The Ohio State University, 1946–1969 (Report). Ohio State University Centennial Histories. The Ohio State University. pp. 31–32. hdl:1811/75775. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  36. ^ The Volunteer. Vol. 58. University of Tennessee. 1955. p. 265.
  37. ^ "Department of Air Science and Tactics". The University of Tennessee Record. 56 (3). University of Tennessee: 444. May 1953. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  38. ^ "Department of Air Science". The University of Tennessee Record. 59 (3). University of Tennessee: 505. May 1956. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  39. ^ "Department of Air Force Aerospace Studies". The University of Tennessee Record. 68 (7). University of Tennessee: 258. December 1965. Retrieved 2 July 2023.
  40. ^ "U-T May Have 30 'Angels With Wings'". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 24 November 1963. p. 17. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  41. ^ Creekmore, Betsey B. (2 October 2018). "Angel Flight [Silver Wings] (Air Force ROTC Support Organization)". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  42. ^ "AF ROTC COED". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 10 September 1970. p. 8. Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  43. ^ Diskey, Jay (29 March 1988). "UT students pay tribute to plane crash victims". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. p. 3. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  44. ^ Creekmore, Betsey B. (15 October 2018). "Resident Assistant Deaths in Plane Crash". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  45. ^ Creekmore, Betsey B. (9 October 2018). "Neyland Stadium—Armory Addition (Section X)". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  46. ^ a b c d e Creekmore, Betsey B. (4 November 2018). "Armory-Fieldhouse". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  47. ^ a b Creekmore, Betsey B. (15 October 2018). "ROTC, Air Force". Volopedia. University of Tennessee Libraries. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  48. ^ Shearer, John (15 February 2013). "ROTC moves to new (old) digs at UT". Knoxville News Sentinel. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  49. ^ "U-T Air Reserve Group Ranks First In South". The Knoxville Journal. 30 September 1949. p. 9. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  50. ^ "UT Cadet Gets Air Force Award". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 1 June 1973. p. 7. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  51. ^ "Air Force ROTC Honors 4 at UT". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 3 June 1973. p. 21. Retrieved 4 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  52. ^ "UT's Arnold Air Society Wins Outstanding-Squadron Trophy". The Knoxville News-Sentinel. 11 April 1981. p. 6. Retrieved 3 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  53. ^ Taylor, Abbey (13 September 2010). "UT's Air Force ROTC Detachment Wins Regional Award" (Press release). University of Tennessee. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  54. ^ Blakely, Amy (18 November 2010). "UT's Air Force ROTC Wins Best in the Nation Honors" (Press release). University of Tennessee. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  55. ^ "UT's Air Force ROTC wins national award". Knoxville News Sentinel. 22 November 2010. p. 2. Retrieved 1 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  56. ^ "Lieutenant General John A. Bradley". United States Air Force. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  57. ^ "Major General Stephen A. Clark". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  58. ^ "Major General Stephen A. Clark ('86) Retires". Office of Advancement. University of Tennessee. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  59. ^ "Brigadier General Dwight D. Creasy". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  60. ^ "Dwight Creasy". Defense Finance and Accounting Service. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  61. ^ "Lt. Glandon Killed on Bombing Run". Knoxville News-Sentinel. 1 June 1966. p. 1. Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  62. ^ "Gary A. Glandon". UTK Armed Forces Veteran Memorial. University of Tennessee Center for the Study of War and Society. 2 April 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
  63. ^ "Major General Wendell L. Griffin". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  64. ^ "Charles R. "Ron" Henderson". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  65. ^ Bernstein, Adam (11 May 2012). "Ron Henderson, Air Force major general". Washington Post. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  66. ^ "Major General William E. Jones". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  67. ^ "Brigadier General Charles B. McDaniel". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  68. ^ "Major General Charles E. Reed Jr". United States Air Force. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
  69. ^ "Nashville Pilot Downs Two MIGs". Knoxville News-Sentinel. 24 August 1967. p. 1. Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  70. ^ "2-MIG Killer Got Start in U-T ROTC". Knoxville News-Sentinel. 24 August 1967. p. 1. Retrieved 8 July 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  71. ^ "David Berry Waldrop". Hall of Valor: The Military Medals Database. Military Times. Retrieved 8 July 2023.
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