Talk:497th Combat Training Flight

1964 discontinuation of 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

The edits stating that the 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron was discontinued on 25 June 1964 appears to be based on a partial reading of primary sources, not on the cited secondary source.

The secondary source cited for this change was [1]. However, this source (which is cited for the 497th's remaining lineage) states: "Activated on 18 Feb 1953. Redesignated as 497 Tactical Fighter Squadron on 25 Jul 1964. Inactivated on 16 Sep 1974" and has no reference to a 1964 inactivation.

Primary sources (not used per Wiki policy) would be AFOMO Letter 183n, 30 March 1964, Subject: Discontinuance of the 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and Certain Other USAF Units. This letter directed that "the following units will be discontinued, as indicated . . . 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron [on or about] 18 June 1964" However, AFOMO Letter 258n, 16 July 1964, Subject: Discontinuance of the 431st Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and Certain Other USAF Units amended AFOMO Letter 183n to "Delete all reference to the discontinuance of the . . . 497th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron[]." Ultimately, these letters were implemented by USAFE Special Order G-51, 28 May 1964 and TAC Special Order G-107, 2 July 1964, effective 18 June 1964.

Note that the edit is also inconsistent with the Stations and Assignment sections of the article.

In effect, USAF changed its mind about inactivating three fighter-interceptor squadrons as F-102s were withdrawn from overseas units. Instead, it reorganized them as tactical fighter squadrons and used them as the elements of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing by issuing AFOMO Letter 259n, 16 July 1964, Subject: Activation of the 433d Tactical Fighter Squadron and Certain Other USAF Unit Actions. --Lineagegeek (talk) 14:27, 21 July 2017 (UTC)

The justification for not showing the 6/64 discontinuation of my unit while in Spain, the 497th FIS, appears warranted although the "primary" sources (AFOMO-?) memos noted here seem unavailable publicly. Wikipedia policy in fact does allow citing primary sources[2], bullet 2. Those sources are apparent direct administrative orders/directives, are referable primary sources and, if available, could be cited.Webistrator (talk) 23:00, 24 July 2017 (UTC)