History 60th Fighter Squadron

1 history

1.1 world war ii
1.2 air defense command
1.3 tactical air command
1.4 modern era
1.5 lineage
1.6 assignments
1.7 stations
1.8 aircraft

history
world war ii

activated in 1940 @ mitchel field, new york 60th pursuit squadron, unit attached 33d pursuit group on 15 january 1941. re-designated 60th fighter squadron fighting crows on 15 may 1942, unit responsible continual mission of air defense of united states until october 1942. in late 1942, 60th joined united states effort in world war ii participating in combat operations in mediterranean theater , china-burma-india theater. result of superior performance in central tunisia, 60th earned distinguished unit citation combat operations on 15 january 1944. following service in world war ii, 60th assigned 33d fighter group @ neubiberg air base, germany in august 1946 , flew p-51 mustang.

air defense command

north american f-86a-5-na sabre, af ser. no. 49-1143, westover air force base, massachusetts, circa 1951



60th fis mcdonnell f-101b, af ser. no. 57-0376, circa 1960

in 1947, 60th transferred roswell army air field, new mexico , afterward, in june 1948, converted f-84 thunderjet. in november 1948, 60th transferred otis air force base, massachusetts , june of following year had completed conversion new f-86 sabre. on 9 august 1950, 60th moved westover air force base, massachusetts , on 1 january 1951 became part of air defense command. 1952-1959, 60th, flying f-86 sabre , f-94 starfire, assigned various organizations including, 4707th defense wing, 4735th air defense group , boston air defense sector, located @ otis air force base.

on 5 january 1959, 60th first air defense command squadron receive new mcdonnell f-101b voodoo interceptor. unit additionally tasked part of joint test force (teamed members @ eglin air force base, florida) test f-101 s operational capabilities prior entrance active service. f-101b proved quite successful interceptor. assigned alongside f-101b interceptor f-101f operational , conversion trainer. two-seat trainer version equipped dual controls, carried same armament f-101b , combat-capable.

during 1960s, 60th participated in various tests, exercises, , operations in air defense command. in october , november 1962, unit placed on alert during cuban missile crisis,and several planes weapons , support crews deployed support potential combat needs. planes remaining @ otis continued perform air defense command continental air defense mission. although has been stated f-101b voodoos 60th used in production of 1966 comedy russians coming, russians coming, film, although set in new england, shot on west coast financial reasons , fighters 84th fighter-interceptor squadron, based @ hamilton afb, california. 60th inactivated on 30 april 1971.

tactical air command

in september 1971, squadron reactivated @ eglin air force base, florida 60th tactical fighter squadron of 33d tactical fighter wing, flying f-4e phantom ii until transitioning f-15a eagle in late 1970s. in 1979, unit participated in kadena ready eagle program in members of 60th trained new f-15 pilots stationed @ kadena air base, japan.

the 60th made first combat deployment since world war ii when sent ten f-15s grenada in support of operation urgent fury, rescue of american medical students held in grenada in mid-1980s. unit continued train , until called upon fly support missions operation cause (the removal of panamanian dictator manuel noriega panama in 1990s).

modern era

the 60th fighter squadron flew f-15 eagle , supported various combatant commanders providing air superiority on call. flew last f-15 mission on 5 december 2008.

the squadron inactivated on 1 january 2009.

lineage

60th fis (air defense command)



constituted 60th pursuit squadron (interceptor) on 20 nov 1940


activated on 15 jan 1941
re-designated: 60th fighter squadron on 15 may 1942
re-designated: 60th fighter squadron, 2 engine, on 8 feb 1945
inactivated on 8 dec 1945


re-designated 60th fighter squadron, single engine, on 17 jul 1946


activated on 20 aug 1946
re-designated: 60th fighter squadron, jet, on 14 jun 1948
re-designated: 60th fighter-interceptor squadron on 20 jan 1950
inactivated on 30 apr 1971


re-designated 60th tactical fighter squadron on 18 may 1971


activated on 1 sep 1971
re-designated: 60th fighter squadron on 1 nov 1991
inactivated on 1 january 2009

assignments

33d pursuit (later, 33d fighter) group, 15 jan 1941 – 8 dec 1945
33d fighter (later, 33d fighter-interceptor) group, 20 aug 1946
4707th defense (later, 4707th air defense) wing, 6 feb 1952
33d fighter group, 18 aug 1955
4735th air defense group, 18 aug 1957
boston air defense sector, 1 aug 1959
35th air division, 1 apr 1966
21st air division, 19 nov 1969 – 30 apr 1971
33d tactical fighter (later, 33d fighter) wing, 1 sep 1971
33d operations group, 1 dec 1991 – 1 january 2009

stations

aircraft