27th Fighter Squadron

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27th Fighter Squadron
Emblem of the 27th Fighter Squadron
Active	Organized August 20, 1917 Redesignated June 23, 1917
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Fighter
Part of	1st Operations Group 1st Fighter Wing
Garrison/HQ	Langley Air Force Base
Nickname	"Fighting Eagles"
Battles/wars	World War I World War II Operation Desert Storm Operation Northern Watch Operation Southern Watch

The 27th Fighter Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force, currently part of the 1st Operations Group of the 1st Fighter Wing, and deployed at Langley Air Force Base in Virginia.

The squadron is equipped with the F-22 Raptor, having transitioned from the F-15 in 2005 to become the world's first operational F-22 squadron.

History of the 27th Fighter Squadron, "The Fighting Eagles" (also known as "Black Falcons").

The 27th Fighter Squadron is the oldest fighter squadron in the U.S. Air Force. As one of three fighter squadrons of the 1st Fighter Wing, the 27th is tasked to provide air superiority for United States or allied forces by engaging and destroying enemy forces, equipment, defenses or installations for global deployment. Originally organized as the 21st Aero Squadron June 15, 1917, the 27th was redesignated as the 27th Aero Squadron June 23, 1917, and assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group in early 1918. The 27th entered World War I in the European theater where it served with distinction from March 1918 until the Armistice in November of that year. Lieutenant Frank Luke, Jr., known as the "Arizona Balloon Buster," for his daring feats against German observation balloons, was the squadron's most colorful ace. His 18 victories cost him his life, and he was awarded the Medal of Honor. Aircraft flown by the 27th during World War I include the Nieuport 28, Spad XIII and Sopwith F-1 Camel.

In the period between the world wars, the 27th Pursuit Squadron, redesignated Jan. 25, 1923, was stationed primarily at Selfridge Field, Michigan, with the 1st Fighter Group. During these years, the unit flew various aircraft, including the Fokker D-7, PW-8, P-12, P-26, P-35, P- 36 and the YP-43. At the beginning of the United States' involvement in World War II, the 27th Fighter Squadron, redesignated May 15, 1942, briefly served in anti-submarine duty at San Diego Naval Air Station and in air defense duty at Reykjavik, Iceland. From October 1942 until May 1945, the 27th participated in the European and Mediterranean theaters of operation, flying Lockheed P-38 Lightnings. The squadron won three Distinguished Unit Citations in Italy August 25, 1943, and August 30, 1943; and at Ploieşti, Romania, May 18, 1944. The 27th Fighter Squadron was the top-scoring unit of the 1st Fighter Group in World War II, with 83 of its pilots credited with 176.5 victories.

Following World War II, the 27th was stationed at March Field, California, flying P-80 Shooting Stars, the United States' first operational jet aircraft. Upon the unit's redesignation as the 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, it moved to Griffiss Air Force Base, New York, flying the F-86, F-89 and F-94 until receiving the F-102 Delta Dagger in 1957. In October 1959, the 27th was transferred to Loring Air Force Base, Maine, where it assumed an air defense role flying F-106 Delta Darts in the Bangor Air Defense Sector.

The redesignated 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron was assigned to MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, July 2, 1971, as part of the reorganized 1st Tactical Fighter Wing. While at MacDill, the 27th trained aircrews in the F-4E Phantom II. In June 1975, the 27th Tactical Fighter Squadron was moved to Langley Air Force Base, Virginia, becoming the first operational squadron to fly the F-15 Eagle air superiority fighter in 1976. The unit was redesignated the 27th Fighter Squadron Sept.1, 1991. The 27th TFS deployed in support of Operation Desert Storm as part of the first U.S. Air Force contingent in Saudi Arabia. The squadron was integral in establishing allied air superiority during the operation.

The 27th FS has deployed worldwide to support the 1st FW. The 27th Fighter Squadron deployed to Turkey in support of Operation Northern Watch, and to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch, flying F-15Cs in both operations enforcing UN sanctions against Iraq until 2003.

The 27th Fighter Squadron is the first active squadron to fly F-22A.