63d Fighter Squadron (United States)
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| 63d Fighter Squadron | |
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 63d Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 15 January 1941 - 18 October 1945 1 May 1946 - 8 January 1958 30 June 1975 - 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 |
| Engagements | Battle of Normandy Battle of the Buldge |
| Decorations |  DUC AFOUA |
The 63d Fighter Squadron (63 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.
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[edit] Mission
[edit] History
The 63d was activated on 15 January 1941, at Savannah, Georgia as the 63d Pursuit Squadron. It was originally assigned to the 56th Pursuit Group, which, like many pursuit squadrons organized in the early 1940s, initially flew Curtis P-35 and P-36 Hawks. A year later the 63d came under control of the 1st Interceptor Command and switched to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawks. A few months later it was re-designated a fighter unit and began flying the new Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. In 1943, the 63d moved to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, then to England where it became one of the most successful squadrons in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. Flying escort for fighter sweeps ahead of U.S. bomber fleets, the pilots destroyed 167.5 enemy aircraft in the air and 110 on the ground. After Germany's surrender, the 63d returned to Camp Kilmer until inactivation on 18 October 1945.[1]
A year later, it reopened with the 56th Fighter Group at Selfridge Field, Michigan, and briefly transitioned to the North American P-51 Mustang. In 1947, the 63d became one of the first fighter squadrons equipped with the new Lockheed P-80 Shooting Star. Three years later, North American F-86A Sabres arrived, and then in 1954, Northrop F-89 Scorpions became the 63d's newest fighters.[1]
The squadron was again inactivated on 1 November 1957, and reactivated 30 June 1975, as the 63d Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. Its mission was to train pilots and weapons systems officers for the F-4 Phantom II. The name changed slightly, but the mission stayed the same when the F-16 Fighting Falcon arrived and the 63d became a tactical fighter training squadron in 1981. On 12 March 1993, the 63d Fighter Squadron transferred to Luke Air Force Base, where it now flies the Block 42, F-16CG.[1]
[edit] Operations[2]
[edit] Lineage[2]
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[edit] Assignments[2]
- 56th Fighter Group (1941 - 1945)
- 56th Fighter-Interceptor Group (1946 - 1952)
- 4708th Defense Wing (1952)
- 4706th Defense Wing (1952 - 1953)
- 527th Air Defense Group (1953 - 1955)
- 56th Fighter Wing (1955 - 1958, 1975 - Present)
[edit] Bases stationed[2]
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[edit] Aircraft Operated[2]
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[edit] References
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c 56 OG Fact Sheet
- ^ a b c d e AFHRA 63 FS Page
[edit] Bibliography
[edit] Also See
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