19th Fighter Squadron (United States)
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| 19th Fighter Squadron | |
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 19th Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| 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 11th Air Force 3d Wing 3d Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Elmendorf Air Force Base |
| Engagements | Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Guam |
| Decorations |  AFOUA |
The 19th Fighter Squadron (19 FS) is part of the 3d Wing at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It operates the F-15 Eagle aircraft conducting air superiority missions.
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[edit] Mission
[edit] History
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]
Renamed the 19th Pursuit Squadron, the squadron flew from various locations in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in 1923.[2] The squadron suffered six casualties as a result of the attack on Oahu 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]
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]
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.
[edit] Operations[2]
[edit] Lineage[2]
- 19th Aero Squadron (1917 - 1921)
- 19th Squadron (1921 - 1923)
- 19th Pursuit Squadron (1923 - 1939)
- 19th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (1939 - 1942)
- 19th Fighter Squadron (1942 - 1943)
- 19th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine (1943 - 1981)
- 19th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1981 - 1991)
- 19th Fighter Squadron (1991 - Present)
[edit] Assignments[2]
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[edit] Bases stationed[2]
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[edit] Aircraft Operated[2]
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[edit] References
[edit] Notes
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] Also See
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