| 43d Fighter Squadron | |
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43d Fighter Squadron Patch |
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| Active | 13 June 1917 - 17 April 1919 7 July 1922 - 1 September 1936 1 February 1940 - 15 October 1946 8 January 1964 - 1 January 1994 1 October 2002 - Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Fighter Training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 325th Fighter Wing 325th Operations Group |
| Garrison/HQ | Tyndall Air Force Base |
| Nickname | Hornets |
| Engagements | World War I World War II Korean War Vietnam |
| Decorations | AFOUA |
The 43d Fighter Squadron (43 FS) is part of the 325th Fighter Wing at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. It conducts advanced fighter training for F-22 Raptor pilots.
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The 43d Fighter Squadron is responsible for providing air dominance training for the F-22 Raptor.[1]
The 43d Fighter Squadron traces its lineage to the 43d Aero Squadron, first activated 13 June 1917, at Camp Kelly, Texas. In March 1918, the squadron moved to England, where it trained until reassigned to France on 1 November 1918 - just 10 days before the Armistice that ended World War I was signed. Having never seen combat, the squadron was deactivated in April 1919. The 43d was reactivated on 22 July 1922, at Kelly Field, Texas.[1]
The 43d was redesignated the 43d School Squadron in January 1923 and flew various aircraft, including the DH-4, Spad XIII, SE-5, MB-7, AT-4, AT-5, PW-9, P-1, and P-12. The 43d became known as the "Hornets" as depicted by their emblem, a poised Vespa Maculata, or American "Yellow Jacket," the most formidable of the wasp family, surrounded by an ovate cloud. The emblem was approved in 1924 and the Hornet signifies the speed, agility and hard-hitting capabilities of the squadron while the cloud represents their domain - the skies.[1]
In March 1935, the 43d was redesignated the 43d Pursuit Squadron, flying as part of the 3d Wing Advanced Flying School until it was deactivated in September 1936. The squadron was reactivated in February 1940 and flew the P-36, P-38, P-39, P-40, and P-47 aircraft while providing air defense for the Panama Canal Zone. Before the squadron was deactivated in October 1946, it was renamed the 43d Fighter Squadron and had twice earned the XXVI Fighter Command Award of Merit.[1]
The squadron lay dormant nearly two decades before it was awakened as the 43d Tactical Fighter Squadron at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, in January 1964 flying the F-84 Thunderstreak. The Hornets converted from the F-84 to the F-4 Phantom II, and in August 1965, deployed to Clark Air Base, Philippines, where they flew combat missions for 90 days over Southeast Asia.[1]
In November 1965, the Hornets became the first fighter squadron assigned to Cam Ranh Air Base, South Vietnam (Advance party arrived 28 October). During its time in Southeast Asia, the squadron flew 1,207 combat missions and earned the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award for its service. In January 1966, the 43 TFS returned to MacDill AFB, to serve as an F-4C replacement-training unit until March 1970.[1]
In June 1970, the 43 TFS was moved to Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, under the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing. The squadron was one of two units assigned to Alaskan Air Command. Flying the F-4E Phantom II, the 43d inherited a dual mission of Alaskan air defense and close air support for U.S. Army forces. In addition to flying out of Elmendorf AFB in Anchorage, the squadron also sat air defense alert at King Salmon, Galena, and Eielson AFB forward operating bases.
The squadron assumed North American Aerospace Defense Command air defense alert in October 1970 and between 1970 and 1982, the squadron's pilots intercepted more than 100 Soviet aircraft in Alaskan air space.[1]
In 1982, the 43d became the first squadron to convert to the F-15 Eagle. Without help from a combat ready unit, the squadron developed its own F-15 training program and completed the first ever F-15 low runway condition reading tests. The squadron continued to provide air defense for North America until 1 January 1994, when it was deactivated.[1]
On 25 October 2002, The 43d Fighter Squadron was reactivated with a new mission and a new aircraft. Assigned to the 325th Fighter Wing, Air Education and Training Command, Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, the 43 FS is the first squadron to provide training for Air Force pilots in the F-22 Raptor.[1]
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