- 90th Fighter Squadron
Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 90th Fighter Squadron
caption= 90th Fighter Squadron Patch
dates=20 August 1917 -1 October 1949
25 June 1951 - Present
country=United States
allegiance=
branch=United States Air Force
type= Fighter
role=
size=
command_structure=Pacific Air Forces
11th Air Force
3d Wing
3d Operations Group
current_commander=
garrison=Elmendorf Air Force Base
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname=
patron=
motto=
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles=Battle of Saint-Mihiel
Battle of the Bismarck Sea
notable_commanders=Hoyt S. Vandenberg
Nathan F. Twining
Richard H. Ellis
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honours=The 90th Fighter Squadron (90 FS) is part of the
3d Wing atElmendorf Air Force Base ,Alaska . It operates theF-22 Raptor aircraft conducting air superiority missions.Mission
The 90th Fighter Squadron trains in the fighter missions of strategic attack, interdiction, offensive counterair (air-to-surface), suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive and defensive counterair (air-to-air). [http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7713 90 FS Fact Sheet] ]
History
World War I
The 90th Fighter Squadron was initially activated on
20 August 1917 , as the 90th Aero Squadron. Its first location was atKelly Field ,San Antonio ,Texas . The first few months of its existence were consumed by the necessary training to prepare the men for operations inFrance duringWorld War I . On12 November 1917, the men of the 90th arrived atLe Havre ,France . The initial cadre of officers and enlisted men began preparing the infrastructure necessary to support their flying mission. The air contingent arrived soon after this first group.The squadron's first aircraft were the
Sopwith 1½ Strutter ground attack aircraft. Bruce 5 October 1956, p.590.] The squadron upgraded to Salmson 2-A2s, SPAD Xis, and Breguet BR-14 observation aircraft. Pilots flew fromColombey-les-Belles and scored seven confirmed aerial victories (against aircraft) and participated in the final allied offensives. The 90th earned a positive reputation for its ground attack missions during its continuous participation in the air offensive overSaint-Mihiel . Its first commander,First Lieutenant William G. Schauffler, designed the 90th's Pair o' Dice emblem displaying natural sevens during this campaign. After the war, 90th alumni commissionedTiffany's of New York to design a silver pin with the squadron logo.Inter-War Period
After returning from France, the squadron returned to Kelly Field and became one of the four units organized into the 1st Surveillance Group on
15 August 1919 . The group was redesignated the 3d Attack Group on2 July 1921 . Their first assignment was to fly daily border patrols betweenBrownsville, Texas , and Nogales,Arizona , during a period of revolution and unrest inMexico , which led to border violations and the deaths of American citizens. It was this assignment that gave rise to the cactus in the3d Wing emblem. The 90th Squadron flewDeHavilland DH-4 aircraft for their low-level observation missions over the border. As the unrest in Mexico died down, Brigadier General William 'Billy' Mitchell, a senior staff officer in theArmy Air Service , decided to use this low-level flying experience and the World War I experience of the 3d Group's pilots to create a group devoted to low-level mission of supporting ground troops and attacking ground targets. The 90th Squadron contributed to the pioneering of new tactics for attack aircraft, delivered US mail in1934 , participated in aerial mapping missions during the 1930s, and attracted significant talent among early military airmen. One example of these early airmen was GeneralJames H. Doolittle . On2 September 1922 , General Doolittle, then a first lieutenant, became the first pilot to travel coast-to-coast in under 24 hours. Although he could not remember if he was assigned to the 90th during the flight, theAir Force Historical Research Agency confirmed he was a member of the 90th at the time, and his DH-4 aircraft displayed the 90th's pair-o-dice emblem. Early commanders of the 90th also included LieutenantsHoyt Vandenberg andNathan Twining , both of whom later became Air Force Chiefs of Staff.World War II
During
World War II , the 90th, now a Bombardment Squadron, operated in the SouthPacific , flyingA-20 Havoc andB-25 Mitchell aircraft. Their main mission involved highly dangerousskip bombing s. In an effort to improve the effectiveness and protection of the 3d Bombardment Group's pilots, Major Paul 'Pappy' Gunn, 3d Bombardment Group engineering officer, devised a modification of the B-25C. The modification replaced the forward bombardier with four forwards firing .50 caliber machine guns, supplemented with two twin .50 caliber gun packages side mounted on the fuselage. The lower turret was discarded. The A-20s received similar modifications. The modified aircraft were first employed by the 90th and proved exceptionally effective, receiving the nickname 'commerce destroyers.' During theBattle of the Bismarck Sea , every aircraft in the 90th scored a hit on the Japanese convoy of 18 ships. It was the first sea-level attack by B-25 strafers in World War II and demonstrated that this tactic was extremely effective. The squadron also participated in the raids onWewak ,New Guinea , which were preemptive strikes that virtually ended the threat of enemy offensive air capabilities.Cold War
In 1945, after World War II, the 90th Squadron was moved to
Japan . The 90th began flying theA-26 Invader as the 3d Bombardment Group became an all A-26 outfit. In September1946 , the 90th moved with the 3d Bombardment Group toYokota Air Base , Japan, and began training to become combat-ready with the A-26, which was redesignated theB-26 Invader . With the creation of the U.S. Air Force in late1947 , the force began an internal reorganization. This led to the activation of the 3d Bombardment Wing in August1948 , to which the 3d Bombardment Group was assigned. The 90th Squadron was inactivated from1 October 1949 until25 June 1951 .At that point, the squadron was redesignated the 90th Bombardment Squadron Light, Night Intruder. In July, as part of the 3d Bombardment Group, the 90th participated in the
Korean War . The B-26 Invaders, which the 90th flew, had as many as 12 forward firing .50 caliber machine guns. The 90th's specialty during the Korean War was destroying locomotives and marshalling yards. After the war, the 90th moved with the 3d Bombardment Group toJohnson Air Base , Japan, on 1 October1954 . In January1956 , the unit transitioned to the B-57C Night Intruder. In October1957 , the 3d Bombardment Group inactivated and its heritage transferred to the 3d Bombardment Wing, as did the 90th Bombardment Squadron. In1960 , the wing and squadron transferred to Yokota Air Base, where it trained in bombardment,reconnaissance , andaerial refueling . It also served nuclear alert during this period as well. In the mid-60s, however, the squadron underwent significant changes.In
1964 , the 3d Bombardment Wing converted to a tactical fighter wing, as did the 90th, which became the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron on8 June 1964 . The wing and the 90th moved toEngland Air Force Base ,Louisiana , as part of an overall reorganization to reduce the number of wings located in Japan. While at England AFB, the 90th gained theF-100 Super Sabre . At the beginning of theVietnam War , the 3d Bombardment Wing began deploying units toVietnam on a rotational basis, while the remainder continued training in their ground support role. In November1965 , the wing moved toBien Hoa Air Base ,South Vietnam , during the buildup of forces. The 90th flewclose air support missions from Bien Hoa through tens of thousands of sorties. In1969 , the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron reverted to its pre-World War II designation of 90th Attack Squadron. On31 October 1970 , the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing ended its duties in Vietnam and remained active in 'paper' status until it moved toKunsan Air Base ,South Korea , in March1971 . The 90th Attack Squadron was reassigned to the14th Special Operations Wing on 31 October 1970 and was redesignated the 90th Special Operations Squadron and remained in Vietnam atNha Trang Air Base .
thumb|McDonnell Douglas F-4E-42-MC PhantomSerial 69-0275 of the 90th TFS/3d TFW Clark AFB, Phillpines, 1979.From late 1970 until1974 , the 90th underwent several command reassignments. It remained with the 14th Special Operations Wing until1 September 1971 , when it moved to the483d Tactical Fighter Wing and remained at Nha Trang Air Base. On15 April 1972 , the 90th moved again, this time to the18th Tactical Fighter Wing atKadena Air Base ,Okinawa , Japan. This assignment lasted only a few months, as the unit was assigned to the405th Fighter Wing in December 1972 and moved toClark Air Base ,Philippines . The squadron was redesignated the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron on8 July 1973 , and began to fly F-4s. In September of the following year, the 90th returned once again to the 3d Tactical Fighter Wing, when it relocated to Clark Air Base after the 405th Fighter Wing was inactivated. In1975 , the 90th converted to the F-4E and participated in combat training and providing air defense for the Philippines.In July
1977 , the 90th once again upgraded its aircraft, this time to the F-4G, which performed a ground radar suppression and destruction mission. During the late 1970s and 1980s, the squadron provided training and support to other units throughout the Pacific, as well as ensuring the readiness of its own pilots and aircraft. By1990 , however, the Philippines had expressed a desire for the withdraw of American military forces in the islands. In May1991 , the 90th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reassigned to the 21st Tactical Fighter Wing located atElmendorf Air Force Base ,Alaska . In September 1991, the 90th was redesignated the 90th Fighter Squadron and became part of the 21st Operations Group. This association did not last long, however.Post-Cold War
In June 1991,
Mount Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines and the Air Force quickly decided to evacuate its personnel and equipment from Clark AB. The 3d Tactical Fighter Wing remained in the Philippines during Desert Shield and Desert Storm due to instability in the Philippines. However, it was not going to remain in the islands for very long. It became a 'paper' unit briefly while the Chief of Staff, GeneralMerrill McPeak , decided where to send the wing. He selected on Elmendorf AFB. The21st Tactical Fighter Wing was inactivated and the3d Wing replaced it as the lead wing at Elmendorf AFB on19 December 1991. With the establishment of the 3d Wing on Elmendorf, the 90th Fighter Squadron was once again reunited with its old wing. While these changes occurred with the 3d Wing, the 90th Fighter Squadron deployed six F-4Gs to join coalition forces in theMiddle East for theGulf War . This was the last deployment for the 90th with the F-4Gs. When they returned to Elmendorf, the unit gained new aircraft, theF-15E Strike Eagle . This two-seat dual role updated version of the F-15A/B/C/D Eagle had more survivability enhancements than any other fighter aircraft at the time. It carried a wide array of armament as it performed both air-to-air and air-to-surface attack missions.Since arriving in Alaska, the 90th Fighter Squadron participated in numerous training exercises in the lower 48 states and other areas of the world. These training exercises included Polar Thrust, Cope Thunder, Tandem Thrust, Cope Thaw, and Red Flag in locations such as
Mountain Home Air Force Base ,Idaho ,Osan Air Base ,Korea ,Andersen Air Force Base ,Guam ,Naval Air Station Fallon ,Nevada , andNellis Air Force Base , Nevada. The squadron also developed a reputation for safety in its training. On20 February 1996 , the squadron received theAlaska Governor 's Safety Award conferred through the Alaska Department of Labor. This was the first time a military organization won the state award since its inception in1980 .In addition to exercises, the 90th Fighter Squadron also undertook real-world deployments during the 1990s and early 2000s. From October
1995 until January1996 , the squadron deployed 8 F-15Es and 193 personnel toAviano Air Base ,Italy in support ofOperation Deny Flight andOperation Joint Endeavor . In February1998 , the squadron deployed 18 F-15Es and over 200 personnel to Kwangju Air Base andTaegu Air Base , both in Korea. While there, the unit flew 1200 joint combat training sorties. Personnel and aircraft redeployed in June 1998.In
2001 the 90th began a series of deployments which took members of the squadron to the Middle East andSouthwest Asia . In March of that year, the 90th participated in a 90-day deployment in support ofOperation Northern Watch , patrolling the northernNo-fly zone inIraq . The squadron sent 154 personnel and 10 F-15Es toIncirlik Air Base ,Turkey and returned to Elmendorf AFB on9 June 2001. Later that year, in October, 18 F-15Es were deployed to Kwangju AB, Korea, in support ofAfghanistan operations. While deployed pilots flew practice strike missions and provided long-range interdiction strike capability in the region during the absence of the USS Kitty Hawk, they also flew missions over South Korea and repaired base infrastructure while there. The squadron redeployed from the 20-23 December .The 90th Fighter Squadron participated in an historic event on
4 September 2002 . Two Australian exchange officers, Flight Lieutenant Paul Simmons andFlight Lieutenant Tony Southwood, paired up to fly one of the 90th's F-15Es. This was the first time Australian pilots flew an American aircraft in the Pacific Theatre.In
2003 the squadron undertook another deployment in the Pacific in support ofOperation Enduring Freedom . The 90th sent 18 F-15Es to bases in the Pacific, including Osan Air Base,Kunsan Air Base , (both in Korea), Kadena Air Base, Japan and Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The deployment included 592 personnel from mid-February until mid-May.Kwangju AB, Korea, once again became home to members of the 90th Fighter Squadron in
2004 . In August the squadron deployed 12 F-15Es in a rotation. The unit was temporarily designated the 90th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and assigned to the 3d Air Expeditionary Group. While deployed the unit flew more than 1100 sorties over the Korean Peninsula and provided two important flights to distinguished visitors,Republic of Korea Air Force Brigadier General Ko and Republic of Korea General Kim, Commander Korean Ground Forces.In
2005 , the squadron focused on training and preparation for their next real-world deployment. Amidst the training and exercises, however, the squadron was able to showcase their talent with participation in the Aero India Airshow and with a flyby at theUnited States Air Force Academy before the Air Force-Army football game. Additionally, the F-15Es completed an upgrade of their weapons systems. This upgrade allowed the aircraft to carry and use more advanced weaponry, including theJoint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) and eventually theSmall Diameter Bomb (SDB). As2006 progressed, the 90th Fighter Squadron began to prepare for significant changes in its mission and weapons system. The F-15Es were scheduled to relocate to Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, through the BRAC decisions in 2005. Replacing those F-15Es, the 90th began receiving the advancedF-22 Raptor in August2007 , which greatly enhanced the 90th Fighter Squadron's ability to perform its duties.
=Operations [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0090fs.asp AFHRA 90 FS Page] ] =*
World War I
*World War II
*Korean War
*Vietnam War
*Operation Deny Flight
*Operation Joint Endeavor
*Operation Northern Watch *90th Aero Squadron (1917 - 1919)
*90th Squadron (Surveillance) (1919 - 1921)
*90th Squadron (Attack) (1921 - 1923)
*90th Attack Squadron (1923 - 1939)
*90th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (1939 - 1942)
*90th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) (1942 - 1943)
*90th Bombardment Squadron (Light) (1943 - 1944)
*90th Bombardment Squadron, Light (1944 - 1951)
*90th Bombardment Squadron, Light, Night Intruder (1951 - 1955)
*90th Bombardment Squadron, Tactical (1955 - 1964)
*90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1964 - 1969)
*90th Attack Squadron (1969 - 1970)
*90th Special Operations Squadron (1970 - 1973)
*90th Tactical Fighter Squadron (1973 - 1991)
*90th Fighter Squadron (1991 - Present)*I Air Depot (1917 - 1918)
*I Corps Observation Group (1918)
*IV Corps Observation Group (1918)
*III Corps Observation Group (1918)
*3d Bombardment Group (1919 - 1949)
*3d Bombardment Wing (1951 - 1964)
*41st Air Division (1964)
*Tactical Air Command (1964)
*3d Tactical Fighter Wing (1964 - 1965)
**Attached:405th Fighter Wing (7 February - 10 May 1965)
**Attached:39th Air Division (8 August - 5 December 1965)
*834th Air Division (1965 - 1966)
**Attached: 401st Tactical Fighter Wing (c. 5 December 1965 - c. 7 February 1966)
*3d Tactical Fighter Wing (1966 - 1970)
*14th Special Operations Wing (1970 - 1971)
*483d Tactical Airlift Wing (1971 - 1972)
*18th Tactical Fighter Wing (1972)
*405th Fighter Wing (1972 - 1974)
*3d Tactical Fighter Wing (1974 - 1991)
*21st Tactical Fighter Wing (1991)
*3d Wing (1991 - Present)*
Camp Kelly ,Texas (1917)
*Garden City,New York (1917)
*Colombey-les-Belles ,France (1917 - 1918)
*Amanty , France (1918)
*Ourches , France (1918)
*Souilly , France (1918)
*Béthelainville , France (1918 - 1919)
*Belrain , France (1919)
*Colombey-les-Belles, France (1919)
*Libourne , France (1919)
*Saint-Denis-de-Piles, France (1919)
*Bordeaux , France (1919)
*Hazelhurst Field , New York (1919)
*Kelly Field, Texas (1919)
**Flight A: Eagle Pass, Texas (27 August 1919 - 12 June 1920)
*Sanderson, Texas (1919 - 1921)
**Flight A: Del Rio, Texas (12 June 1920 - 20 June 1921)
*Kelly Field, Texas (1921 - 1926)
*Fort Crockett , Texas (1926 - 1935)
**Detachment:Fort Huachuca ,Arizona (7 April - 12 May 1929)
*Barksdale Field ,Louisiana (1935 - 1940)
**Deployed:Bakersfield ,California (3 - 23 May 1937)
*Savannah, Georgia (1940 - 1942)
*Brisbane ,Australia (1942)
*Charters Towers , Australia (1942 - 1943)
*Port Moresby ,New Guinea (1943)
*Dobodura, New Guinea (1943 - 1944)
*Nadzab, New Guinea (1944)
*Hollandia , New Guinea (1944)
*Dulag ,Leyte (1944)
*San Jose,Mindoro (1944 - 1945)
*Sobe,Okinawa (1945)
*Atsugi Air Base ,Japan (1945 - 1946)
*Yokota Air Base , Japan (1946 - 1949)
*Iwakuni , Japan (1951)
*Kunsan Air Base ,South Korea (1951 - 1954)
**Deployed: Pusan Air Base, South Korea (25 April - 17 May 1952)
*Johnson Air Base , Japan (1954 - 1960)
**Deployed:Itazuke Air Base , Japan (18 January - 2 February 1957)
*Yokota Air Base , Japan (1960 - 1964)
*England Air Force Base , Louisiana (1964 - 1966)
**Deployed:Clark Air Base ,Philippines (7 February - 10 May 1965)
**Deployed:Misawa Air Base , Japan (3 August - 5 December 1965)
*Bien Hoa Air Base ,South Vietnam (1966 - 1970)
**Deployed:Phan Rang Air Base , South Vietnam (9 - 14 April 1967)
*Nha Trang Air Base , South Vietnam (1970 - 1972)
*Kadena Air Base , Japan (1972)
*Clark Air Base, Philippines (1972 - 1991)
*Elmendorf Air Force Base ,Alaska (1991 - Present)*Sopwith 1 (1918 - 1919)
*Salmson 2 (1918 - 1919)
*Spad XI (1918 - 1919)
*Breguet 14 (1918 - 1919)
*DH-4 (1919 - c. 1925, 1926 - 1932)
*GA-1 (1921 - 1922)
*O-2 (1921 - 1928)
*A-3 Falcon (1928 - 1934)
*O-1 (1920s - early 1930s)
*XO-6 (1920s - early 1930s)
*A-8 Shrike (1920s - early 1930s)
*Y-8 (1920s - early 1930s)
*A-12 Shrike (1933 - 1936)
*A-17 Nomad (1936 - 1939)
*A-18 Shrike (1939 - 1941)
*B-18 Bolo (1939- 1941)
*B-12 (1939 - 1940)
*A-20 Havoc (1941, 1943 - 1945)
*A-24 Banshee (1941, 1942)
*B-25 Mitchell (1942 - 1944, 1945)
*A-26 Invader (1945 - 1949)
*B-26 Marauder (1945 - 1949, 1951 - 1956)
*B-24 Liberator (1944 - 1946)
*B-57 Canberra (1956 - 1964)
*F-100 Super Sabre (1964 - 1969)
*A-37 Dragonfly (1969 - 1970)
*C-123 Provider (1970 - 1972)
*C-130 Hercules (1970 - 1972)
*F-4 Phantom II (1973 - 1991)
*F-15 Eagle (1994 - 2007)
*F-22 Raptor (2007 - Present)References
Notes
Bibliography
* [http://afhra.maxwell.af.mil/rso/squadrons_flights_pages/0090fs.asp AFHRA 90th Fighter Squadron History]
* [http://www.elmendorf.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7713 90th Fighter Squadron Fact Sheet]
* Bruce, J.M. " [http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1956/1956%20-%201434.html The Sopwith 1½ Strutter: Historic Military Aircraft No. 14 Part II] ". "Flight",5 October 1956 , Pages 586-591.Also See
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