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| 61st Fighter Squadron | |
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 61st Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 15 January 1941 - 18 October 1945 1 May 1946 - 25 July 1960 30 June 1975 - 12 August 1993 1 April 1994 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 56th Fighter Wing 56th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Luke Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Top Dogs |
| Decorations |  DUC AFOUA |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Gabby Gabreski Michael Ryan |
The 61st Fighter Squadron (61 FS) is part of the 56th Fighter Wing at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting advanced fighter training.
Contents |
Mission
History
The 61st Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) was constituted on 20 November 1940 and activated on 15 January 1941, in Savannah, Georgia, training in P-39 Aircobra and P-40 Warhawk aircraft. The 61st later moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, in May 1941 and again to Charleston, South Carolina, in December 1941, to help defend the East Coast. In November 1942, P-47 Thunderbolt dive test pilots achieved 725 mph, faster than the speed of sound. In 1944, it was recognized as the first fighter squadron in the European theater to score over 100 victories. From 1943 to 1945, the 61st produced 19 Aces, the highest of any squadron in Europe, destroying 248 aircraft in the air and 67.5 aircraft on the ground.[1]
The squadron was deactivated October 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey and reactivated at Selfridge Field, Michigan training in P-47's while transitioning to P-51 Mustangs. In April 1950, the 61st transitioned to the F-80 Shooting Star and later was the first squadron to fly the F-86 Sabre. The 61st was deactivated on 25 July 1960, at Truax Field, Wisconsin flying the F-102 Delta Dagger. In June 1975, the 61st was reactivated at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, flying the F-4 Phantom II. In April 1980, the flying mission changed to the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The 61st transitioned in June 1988 to flying the F-16 C/D and the squadron was deactivated in January 1994. The squadron was reactivated on 1 April 1994 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, replacing the former 314th Fighter Squadron flying the F-16 C/D Fighting Falcon. [1]
Operations[2]
Lineage[2]
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Assignments[2]
- 56th Fighter Group (1941 - 1945)
- 56th Fighter-Interceptor Group (1946 - 1952)
- 4708th Defense Wing (1952 - 1953)
- 575th Air Defense Group (1953)
- 64th Air Division (1953 - 1957)
- 4731st Air Defense Group (1957)
- 327th Fighter Group (1957 - 1960)
- 56th Fighter Wing (1975 - Present)
Bases stationed[2]
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Aircraft Operated[2]
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References
Notes
- ^ a b 56 OG Fact Sheet
- ^ a b c d e AFHRA 61 FS Page
Bibliography
See also
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