AFROTC Detachment 157
BC Squadron Heritage
Our Detachment boasts a rich history of cadets committed to serving others, and being excellent in all they do. Every squadron at Detachment 157 is proud of the heritage they represent, honoring heroes of history as well as the cadets and Airmen that came before them.
Squadron 1 Commandos
"First There, First to Lead!"
Squadron 1 honors the sacrifice of Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger. A1C Pitsenbarger was a U.S. Air Force Pararescueman during the Vietnam War. He completed over 250 missions starting in August of 1965, rescuing several American servicemembers and notably a wounded South Vietnamese soldier from a burning minefield. On April 11, 1966, a U.S. Army infantry company was surrounded by Viet Cong troops and took heavy casualties.
A1C Pitsenbarger organized and expedited the evacuation of several American soldiers, and waved off his helicopter to ensure the recovered soldiers would make it to safety. Even despite losing his means to safety, he continued to care for the wounded and provided ammunition for soldiers to continue holding off North Vietnamese forces. In the end, A1C Pitsenbarger lost his life embodying the Pararescue motto "That Others May Live."
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​Cadets in Squadron 1 strive every day to embody the U.S. Air Force Core Value of Service Before Self, just like Airman First Class William H. Pitsenbarger.
Titan II
"We Are, Second to None!"
Titan II honors the 2nd Fighter Training Squadron, holding the namesake of the Titan II missile operated by the United States during the Cold War. The 2nd Fighter Training Squadron originated in 1940 as the 2nd Pursuit Squadron, operating the P-40 Warhawk. Reactivated in 2014 as a training squadron, the "American Beagles" operate the T-38 talon training F-22 pilots.
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The 2nd Fighter Training Squadron is part of the 325th Fighter Wing, with Tyndall AFB, FL being its home. The 2nd Fighter Training Squadron is dedicated to providing a "robust threat picture" to pilots training to fly, fight, and win for our United States Air Force. This threat image will propel training to allow pilots to be prepared for any situation they may encounter on deployment.​​
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Titan II is dedicated to preparing all cadets for anything they may see in their AFROTC and Air/Space Force careers. As the American Beagles train pilots that are "second to none", Titan II builds cadets of the same calibur.
Squadron 3 Sentinels
"Warheads, on Foreheads!"
Squadron 3 honors the B-52 Stratofortress, a Cold War era aircraft distinguished by its long-range power, strategic importance, and consistent readiness. First flown in 1954, the B-52 has been the primary strategic bomber for the United States for over 60 years. It is able to drop the widest array of weapons in the entire Air Force inventory, and has contributed to the success of major operations during its time in service. Notably, the B-52 was key in the successes of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom during the Gulf War.
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The B-52 represents the capacity to carry out a multitude of missions, and the long-standing promise of the U.S. Air Force maintaining air superiority. The B-52 embodies the versatility of the Air Force's multi-capable Airmen, ready for any mission that arises.
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Squadron 3 strives to be like the B-52, training cadets to be reliable, precise, and versatile. They also direct their efforts into service, just as the B-52 has been used in humanitarian efforts by the U.S. Air Force highlighting the core value of Service Before Self.
Squadron 4 Phantoms
"Bogeys on our Tail, Ghost 'Em!"
Squadron 4 honors the great courage and selflessness of Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) John "Bob" Pardo. During the Vietnam War, Pardo was assigned as a pilot in the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron, operating the F-4 Phantom. The mission that brought then Captain Pardo to fame came in March of 1967, when he was tasked to bomb an enemy steel mill alongside his back-seater, 1st Lt. Steve Wayne, as well as Capt. Earl Aman and 1st Lt. Robert Houghton.
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During the mission, Capt. Aman's aircraft received catastrophic damage to the fuel tank, causing the fighter to lose so much fuel that it could not make it back to base. Capt. Pardo, upon seeing this, acted quickly and utilized his fighter, also significantly damaged, to push Capt. Aman and 1st Lt. Houghton out of North Vietnamese territory to then eject. All four Airmen ejected safely over friendly territory and were rescued quickly thereafter.​ The event, known as Pardo's Push, went down in history as one of the greatest acts of heroism during the war.
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Squadron 4 strives to instill in cadets the sense of pride in one's team, and the selfless service that is expected of every Airman and Guardian. Cadets are taught to embody the mindset that Lt. Col. (ret.) Pardo had during that fateful mission, placing the team above all else.​
Squadron 5 Shooting Stars
"Through Adversity, to the Stars!"
Oftentimes, debris from space such as meteors strike Earth's atmosphere, falling to the ground, streaming down with a bright glow. These objects fall with great speed, met with the fury of Earth's exosphere. Commonly known as shooting stars, they are a magnificent sight to behold to anyone lucky enough to catch one while the sun is down.
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Cadets in Squadron 5 are taught to embody a shooting star, breaking down barriers and performing at the highest caliber possible to support the mission and team. They do this by executing tasks with speed and precision, ensuring the bar is set high.
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Squadron 5 also serves as a consistent reminder to the Detachment and cadets of the importance of our Guardians performing duties to protect the United States' space capabilities from harm originating from Earth or from Space. Squadron 5 is committed to training to excellence, whether cadets intend to join the United States Air Force or Space Force.
Squadron 6 Samurai
"Find Victory, With Honor!"
Squadron 6 honors the 6th Generation Samurai, or Fightin' Samurai, of the 14th Fighter Squadron in the U.S. Air Force. Starting in World War II as a tactical reconnaissance squadron, they flew the P-38 Lightning in order to support photographic reconnaissance. Perhaps the most famous operation that the 14th Fighter Squadron was involved in was Operation Overlord, where the images collected helped advance the Allied push into Normandy, France.
Today they serve as a tactical fighter squadron for close air support, operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon. As a 6th Generation Squadron, they embody a mindset empowering the future of the U.S. Air Force.
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As the 14th Fighter Squadron has evolved from reconnaissance missions to close air support and from the P-38 to the F-16.​ This openness to innovation, and an outlook for the future, is something Squadron 6 strives to instill in cadets.