The 19th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force fighter squadron and is a part of the Pacific Air Forces' (PACAF) 15th Wing based at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii.
19th Fighter Squadron
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| Active | 1917–1919; 1921–1922; 1923–1946; 1982–1993; 1994–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam |
| Nickname(s) | Gamecocks[1] |
| Equipment | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor |
| Engagements | Pearl Harbor Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Guam Operation Southern Watch |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Paul "Loco" Lopez |
| Insignia | |
| 19th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 12 November 1993)[2] |  |
| 19th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 10 December 1981)[3] |  |
| 19th Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 20 April 1928)[4] |  |
The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 14 June 1917, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It served overseas in France as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the Tactical Air Command during the Cold War.
Today the 19th FS operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting offensive and defensive counterair (air-to-air) missions, as well as strategic attack, interdiction, and suppression of enemy air defenses. The 19th FS is an active associate total force integration (TFI) unit augmenting the 199th FS in support of Operation Noble Eagle and taskings in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.
History
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World War I
editOriginally established as an Army Flying School Squadron, the 19th was based in Texas, Ohio, and New York for short periods. After a few weeks at the Air Service Replacement Concentration Barracks in St. Maixent, from 1 January 1918, the squadron moved for Seventh Aviation Instruction Center (repair) at Aulnat Aerodrome, east of Clermont-Ferrand, France, to train and observe the French company Michelin's airplane manufacture and assembly procedures.[2] Till the end of 1918, it remained with the 7th AIC. The squadron left France on March 18, 1919, after departing for Cenac, close to Bordeaux, on December 29.
Inter-war years
editRenamed the 19th Pursuit Squadron, the squadron flew from various locations in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in 1923.[2]
World War II
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The squadron suffered six casualties as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on 7 December 1941, but no fatalities.[2]
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.[2]
Cold War
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From 1982–1993, it trained for close air support, air-to-air superiority, and maintained a state of readiness to deploy worldwide. 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. 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]
Modern era
editOn 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.
In 2010 the 19th became part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. The 19th is an associate unit with the Hawaii Air National Guard's 199th Fighter Squadron.
Lineage
edit- 19th Aero Squadron
- Organized as the 14th Aero Squadron (I) on 14 June 1917[note 2]
- Redesignated 19th Aero Squadron on 26 June 1917
- Demobilized on 14 April 1919
- Reconstituted and consolidated with the 19th Pursuit Squadron on 20 December 1923[2]
- 19th Fighter Squadron
- Constituted as the 19th Squadron (Pursuit) on 30 August 1921
- Organized on 1 October 1921
- Inactivated on 29 June 1922
- Redesignated 19th Pursuit Squadron on 25 January 1923
- Activated on 1 May 1923
- Redesignated: 19th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 6 December 1939
- Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
- Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943
- Inactivated on 12 January 1946
- Redesignated 19th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 11 December 1981
- Activated on 1 April 1982
- Redesignated: 19th Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991
- Inactivated on 31 December 1993
- Activated on 1 January 1994[2]
Assignments
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Stations
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Aircraft
edit- Curtiss JN-6H (1921–1922, 1923–1926)
- Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5 (1921–1922, 1923–1926)
- Thomas-Morse MB-3 (1923–1926)
- Airco DH.4 (1923–1926)
- Boeing PW-9 (1927–1930)
- Boeing P-12 (1931–1937, 1938–1941)
- Boeing P-26 Peashooter (1938–1941)
- Curtiss P-36 Hawk (1938–1941)
- A-12 Shrike (1938–1941)
- North American BT-9 (1938–1941)
- Douglas OA-3 Dolphin (1938–1941)
- Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (1941–1943)
- Republic P-47 Thunderbolt (1943–1945)
- Lockheed P-38 Lightning (1944–1945)
- General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon (1982–1993)
- McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle (1994–2010)
- Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor (2010–present)[2]
See also
editReferences
edit- Notes
- ^ Aircraft is Lockheed Martin F-22A LRIP Block 3 Block 20 Raptor serial 03-4045, taken on 2 July 2010
- ^ A later 14th Aero Squadron (which can be designated (II) to avoid confusion) was activated at Rockwell Field, California on 14 August 1917. It was redesignated Squadron A, Rockwell Field, California, on 23 July 1918. The 14th Bombardment Squadron, which was wiped out in the 1941/42 Battle of the Philippines, was the heir to that unit's lineage and honors.
- Citations
- ^ "Gamecocks have final command change". Pacific Air Forces. 22 April 2010. Retrieved 20 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Robertson, Patsy (3 April 2014). "Factsheet 19 Fighter Squadron (PACAF)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 19 June 2017.
- ^ Endicott, p. 465
- ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 102–103
Bibliography
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This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency
- Endicott, Judy G. (1998). Active Air Force Wings as of 1 October 1995 and USAF Active Flying, Space, and Missile Squadrons as of 1 October 1995 (PDF). Air Force History and Museums Program. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ASIN B000113MB2. Retrieved 2 July 2014.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1983) [1961]. Air Force Combat Units of World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-02-1. LCCN 61060979. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Maurer, Maurer, ed. (1982) [1969]. Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (PDF) (reprint ed.). Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-405-12194-6. LCCN 70605402. OCLC 72556. Retrieved 17 December 2016.
- Ravenstein, Charles A. (1984). Air Force Combat Wings, Lineage & Honors Histories 1947–1977. Washington, DC: Office of Air Force History. ISBN 0-912799-12-9. Retrieved 17 December 2016.