19th Fighter Squadron

19th Fighter Squadron

F-22A 03-4045 arriving at Hickam Field 2 July 2010
Active 14 June 1917 – 14 April 1919
1 October 1921 – 21 June 1922
1 May 1923 – 12 January 1946
1 April 1982 – 31 December 1993
1 January 1994 - present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
Type Fighter
Part of Pacific Air Forces
15th Wing
Garrison/HQ Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Nickname(s) "Gamecocks"
Engagements World War I
World War II
*Pearl Harbor
*Battle of Saipan
*Battle of Tinian
*Battle of Guam
Operation Southern Watch
Decorations AFOUA
Commanders
Current
commander
Lieutenant Colonel Brad "Bruiser" Spears
Insignia
19th Fighter Squadron emblem

The 19th Fighter Squadron (19 FS) is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 14 June 1917, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It served overseas in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the Tactical Air Command (TAC) during the Cold War.

Mission

The 19th FS operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting strategic attack, interdiction, offensive counterair (air-to-surface), suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive and defensive counterair (air-to-air) missions.

History

World War I

Originally established as an Army Flying School Squadron, the 19th was based in Texas, Ohio, and New York for short periods before ending up at Clermont-Ferrand, France, to observe the French company Michelin's airplane manufacture and assembly procedures.[1]

Inter-war years

Renamed the 19th Pursuit Squadron, the squadron flew from various locations in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in 1923.[2]

World War II

19th Fighter Squadron P-47N Thunderbolt, Ie Shima Airfield, 1945

The squadron suffered six casualties as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on 7 December 1941, but no fatalities.[1]

The squadron was then stationed aboard the USS Natoma Bay, off Saipan. Upon arriving, the 19th flew night and day missions, strafing and using general purpose bombs and rockets in support of advancing U.S. ground troops. Using homemade napalm bombs made out of napalm, gasoline, and oil placed inside fuel tanks, the 19th helped U.S. forces successfully invade and capture Saipan, Tinian, and Guam islands in only three months. The squadron's mission then changed to long-range bomber escort missions with occasional strike missions to nearby Pagan Island and Iwo Jima. The squadron then relocated to Okinawa, where the first 19 FS pilots were awarded their 'ace' rating. Later, in August 1945, after numerous aerial victories and assorted bombing missions, it participated in the Japanese surrender.[1]

Cold War

F-16C Block 42F Fighting Falcon 89-2098 about 2000 at Shaw AFB

From 1982-1993, it trained for close air support, air-to-air superiority, and maintained a state of readiness to deploy worldwide.[2] In June 1987, the 19th set a new world record for the number of F-16 sorties flown in one day with 160, besting the previous record of 144.[1] In September 1992 the 19th deployed to Southwest Asia to fly combat air patrol missions to enforce terms of United Nations cease fire agreement following Operation Desert Storm.[2]

Modern era

On 1 January 1994, the 19th took over personnel, facilities and equipment of 43d Fighter Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It won the Hughes Trophy in recognition as the top air superiority squadron in the USAF for 2001. Since 1994, it has mobilized, deployed, and employed fighter aircraft worldwide to accomplish air superiority in support of warfighting commanders.

In 2010 the 19th became part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. The 19th FS is an associate unit with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th FS.

Lineage

Redesignated 19th Aero Squadron on 26 June 1917
Demobilized on 14 April 1919
Organized on 1 October 1921
Inactivated on 29 June 1922
Activated on 1 May 1923
Redesignated: 19th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 6 December 1939
Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine, on 20 August 1943
Inactivated on 12 January 1946
Activated on 1 April 1982
Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991
Inactivated on 31 December 1993

* A later 14th Aero Squadron was activated at Rockwell Field, California on 14 August 1917. It was re-designated as Squadron A, Rockwell Field, Calif, on 23 July 1918. Today the squadron's lineage and history is held by the USAF 14th Bombardment Squadron, which was wiped out in the 1941/42 Battle of the Philippines.

Assignments

  • Unknown, 14 June 1917-February 1918
  • Seventh Aviation Instruction Center, February–December 1918
  • Unknown, January–April 1919
  • Ninth Corps Area, 1 October 1921 – 29 June 1922
  • 17th Composite Group, 1 May 1923
  • 5th Composite Group, 15 January 1924

Stations

Aircraft

See also

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the Air Force Historical Research Agency.

Bibliography

External links

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