60th Fighter Squadron
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| 60th Fighter Squadron | |
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 60th Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 15 January 1941 - 8 December 1945 20 August 1946 - 30 April 1971 1 September 1971 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter |
| Part of | Air Combat Command 9th Air Force 33d Fighter Wing 33d Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Eglin Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Fighting Crows |
| Decorations |  DUC AFOUA |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Daniel James, Jr. |
The 60th Fighter Squadron (60 FS) is part of the 33d Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. It operates the F-15 Eagle aircraft conducting air superiority missions.
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[edit] Mission
[edit] History
Activated in 1940 at Mitchell Field, New York as the 60th Pursuit Squadron, the unit was attached to the 33d Pursuit Group on 15 January 1941. Re-designated as the 60th Fighter Squadron "Fighting Crows" on 15 May 1942, the unit was responsible for the continual mission of air defense of the United States until October 1942. In late 1942, the 60th joined the United States' effort in World War II by participating in combat operations in the Mediterranean Theater and the China-Burma-India Theater. As a result of superior performance in central Tunisia, the 60th earned the Distinguished Unit Citation for combat operations on 15 January 1944.[1]
Following its service in World War II, the 60th was assigned to the 33d Fighter Group at Neubiberg Air Base, Germany in August 1946 and flew the P-51 Mustang. In 1947, the 60th transferred to Roswell, New Mexico and soon afterward, in June 1948, converted to the F-84 Thunderjet. In November 1948, the 60th transferred to Otis Air Force Base, Massachusetts and by June of the following year had completed a conversion to the new F-86 Sabre. On 9 August 1950, the 60th moved to Westover Air Force Base, Massachusetts and on 1 January 1951 became part of the Air Defense Command. From 1952-1959, the 60th, flying the F-86 Sabre and the F-94 Starfire was assigned to various organizations including, the 4707th Defense Wing, 4735th Air Defense Group and the Boston Air Defense Sector all located at Otis Air Force Base. On 5 January 1959, the 60th was the first Air Defense squadron to receive the new F-101 Voodoo aircraft. The unit was additionally tasked as part of the joint test force (teamed with members at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida) to test the F-101's operational capabilities prior to its entrance into active service.[1]
During the 1960s the 60th participated in various tests, exercises, and operations in the Air Defense Command. In October and November of 1962, the unit was placed on alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis, but was never deployed. The 60th deactivated on 30 April 1971 and in September of the same year was reactivated at Eglin Air Force Base as the 60th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In 1979 the unit participated in the "Kadena Ready Eagle" program in which the members of the 60th trained new F-15 pilots stationed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.[1]
The 60th made its first combat deployment since World War II when it sent ten F-15s to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury, the rescue of American medical students held in Grenada in the mid-1980s. The unit continued to train and until it was called upon to fly support missions for Operation Just Cause (the removal of Panamanian dictator Manuel Noriega from Panama in the early 1990s).[1]
Currently, the 60th Fighter Squadron operates the F-15 Eagle and continues to support the various combatant commanders by providing air superiority on call.[1]
[edit] Operations[2]
- World War II
- Operation Urgent Fury
- Operation Just Cause
- Operation Desert Sheild
[edit] Lineage[2]
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[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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