17th Weapons Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 17th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force
unit, assigned to the USAF Weapons School
at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
The squadron traces its lineage to the United States Army Air Service
17th Aero Squadron. The 17th Aero Squadron was activated in August 1917 and earned 13 Campaign Streamers in World War I
flying the Sopwith Camel
. During World War II
, the 17th Pursuit Squadron participated in the defense of the Philippines
flying the P-40 Warhawk and garnering the first American Ace of World War II
. Wiped out during the Battle of the Philippines, some of its squadron members endured the Bataan Death March
. Reactivated during the Vietnam War
, the squadron went on to fly F-105F Wild Weasles, and in Operation Desert Storm flying the F-16C.
, the squadron accomplishes its mission by providing graduate-level instructor academic and flying courses to USAF Combat Air Forces (CAF). The squadron conducts extensive technical off-station training and liaises with CAF units.
The 17th patch, adopted in 1917, consists of a Great White Snowy Owl in front of a black triangle with a blue background. Because of its distinctive Owl Patch, the squadron’s nickname is the “HOOTERS.”
to tactical units of RAF serving on the Western Front
France in support of the British Second and the Fifth British Armies. Under British Command, they were equipped with Sopwith Camels, resulting in their original nickname of "The Camel Drivers."
Following assignment of pilots and reassembling of flights on 20 June 1918, the squadron entered combat as a pursuit unit with British Second and Third Armies from 15 July-28 October 1918. The squadron was reassigned to Second Army, American Expeditionary Force
on 1 November 1918 and prepared for operations on American front but did not become combat-ready before the end of hostilities on 11 November 1918. It was demobilised in 1919
The 147th Aero Squadron served in combat as pursuit unit with French Sixth Army, French Eighth Army, and American First Army, 2 June-10 November 1918.
It was then redesignated as the 17th Pursuit in 1921.
, the 17th Pursuit Squadron was initially part of Far East Air Force and took part in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). However, most of its aircraft were destroyed on the ground, by Japan
ese air raids. Some 17th PS personnel later fought as infantry during the Battle of Bataan
and, after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March
.
Other members of the 17th PS escaped to Australia, where they collected new P-40
s (see Pensacola Convoy
) and re-formed as the "17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional)". In January 1942, the squadron undertook a flight across Australia and the Arafura Sea
, to Java and took part in the Dutch East Indies Campaign
, where it claimed 49 Japanese aircraft destroyed, for the loss of 17 P-40s. In March, as Japanese ground forces approached, the squadron handed over its aircraft to the Dutch military and returned to Australia.
147th Aero (later 17th Pursuit) Squadron
Consolidated squadron
147th Aero (later 17th Pursuit) Squadron
Consolidated squadron
(credits of consolidated squadron)
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit, assigned to the USAF Weapons School
USAF Weapons School
The USAF Weapons School is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the 57th Wing. It is stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada.-Mission:...
at Nellis AFB, Nevada.
The squadron traces its lineage to the United States Army Air Service
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
17th Aero Squadron. The 17th Aero Squadron was activated in August 1917 and earned 13 Campaign Streamers in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
flying the Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Camel
The Sopwith Camel was a British First World War single-seat biplane fighter introduced on the Western Front in 1917. Manufactured by Sopwith Aviation Company, it had a short-coupled fuselage, heavy, powerful rotary engine, and concentrated fire from twin synchronized machine guns. Though difficult...
. During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 17th Pursuit Squadron participated in the defense of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
flying the P-40 Warhawk and garnering the first American Ace of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Wiped out during the Battle of the Philippines, some of its squadron members endured the Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
. Reactivated during the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, the squadron went on to fly F-105F Wild Weasles, and in Operation Desert Storm flying the F-16C.
Overview
Flying the F-15E Strike EagleF-15E Strike Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force F-15E Strike...
, the squadron accomplishes its mission by providing graduate-level instructor academic and flying courses to USAF Combat Air Forces (CAF). The squadron conducts extensive technical off-station training and liaises with CAF units.
The 17th patch, adopted in 1917, consists of a Great White Snowy Owl in front of a black triangle with a blue background. Because of its distinctive Owl Patch, the squadron’s nickname is the “HOOTERS.”
World War I
The 17th Aero Squadron began as flying training unit in 1917. From February to June 1918 it underwent combat training while attached by flightsFlight (military unit)
A flight is a military unit in an air force, naval air service, or army air corps. It usually comprises three to six aircraft, with their aircrews and ground staff; or, in the case of a non-flying ground flight, no aircraft and a roughly equivalent number of support personnel. In most usages,...
to tactical units of RAF serving on the Western Front
Western Front (World War I)
Following the outbreak of World War I in 1914, the German Army opened the Western Front by first invading Luxembourg and Belgium, then gaining military control of important industrial regions in France. The tide of the advance was dramatically turned with the Battle of the Marne...
France in support of the British Second and the Fifth British Armies. Under British Command, they were equipped with Sopwith Camels, resulting in their original nickname of "The Camel Drivers."
Following assignment of pilots and reassembling of flights on 20 June 1918, the squadron entered combat as a pursuit unit with British Second and Third Armies from 15 July-28 October 1918. The squadron was reassigned to Second Army, American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
on 1 November 1918 and prepared for operations on American front but did not become combat-ready before the end of hostilities on 11 November 1918. It was demobilised in 1919
The 147th Aero Squadron served in combat as pursuit unit with French Sixth Army, French Eighth Army, and American First Army, 2 June-10 November 1918.
It was then redesignated as the 17th Pursuit in 1921.
World War II
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the 17th Pursuit Squadron was initially part of Far East Air Force and took part in the Battle of the Philippines (1941–42). However, most of its aircraft were destroyed on the ground, by Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
ese air raids. Some 17th PS personnel later fought as infantry during the Battle of Bataan
Battle of Bataan
The Battle of Bataan represented the most intense phase of Imperial Japan's invasion of the Philippines during World War II. The capture of the Philippine Islands was crucial to Japan's effort to control the Southwest Pacific, seize the resource-rich Dutch East Indies, and protect its Southeast...
and, after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March
Bataan Death March
The Bataan Death March was the forcible transfer, by the Imperial Japanese Army, of 75,000 American and Filipino prisoners of war after the three-month Battle of Bataan in the Philippines during World War II, which resulted in the deaths of thousands of prisoners.The march was characterized by...
.
Other members of the 17th PS escaped to Australia, where they collected new P-40
Curtiss P-40
The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. The P-40 design was a modification of the previous Curtiss P-36 Hawk which reduced development time and enabled a rapid entry into production and operational...
s (see Pensacola Convoy
Pensacola Convoy
The Pensacola Convoy is a colloquialism for a United States military shipping convoy that took place in late 1941 as the Pacific War began. The name was derived from that of its primary escort ship, the heavy cruiser . It was intended that the convoy, dispatched in peacetime, would reinforce the...
) and re-formed as the "17th Pursuit Squadron (Provisional)". In January 1942, the squadron undertook a flight across Australia and the Arafura Sea
Arafura Sea
The Arafura Sea lies west of the Pacific Ocean overlying the continental shelf between Australia and New Guinea.-Geography:The Arafura Sea is bordered by Torres Strait and through that the Coral Sea to the east, the Gulf of Carpentaria to the south, the Timor Sea to the west and the Banda and Ceram...
, to Java and took part in the Dutch East Indies Campaign
Dutch East Indies campaign
The Dutch East Indies campaign of 1941–1942 was the conquest of the Dutch East Indies by forces from the Empire of Japan in the early days of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Forces from the Allies attempted unsuccessfully to defend the islands. Indonesia was targeted by the Japanese for its...
, where it claimed 49 Japanese aircraft destroyed, for the loss of 17 P-40s. In March, as Japanese ground forces approached, the squadron handed over its aircraft to the Dutch military and returned to Australia.
Cold War
The 17th Pursuit Squadron was reactivated in 1971 as the 17th Wild Weasel Squadron on 12 November 1971, and engaged in combat in Southeast Asia, December 1971– April 1973; thereafter maintained capability to deliver Wild Weasel support for B-52, F-111, and F-4 aircraft, and a hunter-killer role until inactivated in 1974. Trained in close air support, air interdiction, suppression of enemy defenses, and armed reconnaissance to support worldwide contingencies, 1982–1983. Flew combat in Southwest Asia, 17 January-28 February 1991.Lineage
- Organized as 29th Aero Squadron on 16 Jun 1917
- Re-designated 17th Aero Squadron on 30 Jul 1917
- Demobilized on 1 Apr 1919
- Reconstituted, and consolidated (17 Oct 1936) with 147th Aero Squadron, which was organized on 11 Nov 1917
- Re-designated: 17th Squadron (Pursuit) on 14 Mar 1921
- Re-designated: 17th Pursuit Squadron on 25 Jan 1923
- Re-designated: 17th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 6 Dec 1939
- Inactivated on 2 Apr 1946
- Re-designated 17th Wild Weasel Squadron on 12 Nov 1971
- Activated on 1 Dec 1971
- Inactivated on 15 Nov 1974
- Re-designated 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 11 Dec 1981
- Activated on 1 Jul 1982
- Re-designated 17th Fighter Squadron on 1 Nov 1991
- Inactivated on 31 Dec 1993
- Re-designated 17th Weapons Squadron on 24 Jan 2003
- Activated on 3 Feb 2003.
Assignments
- 17th Aero: Unknown, 16 Jan 1917-Feb 1918
- Attached to RAF for operations and training, Feb 1918
- 65th Wing, RAF, Jun 1918
- 13th Wing, RAF, Aug 1918
- 4th Pursuit Group, AEF, Nov-Dec 1918
- Unknown Dec 1918-1 Apr 1919
- 147th Aero (later, 17th Pursuit): Unknown, 11 Nov 1917-Jun 1918
- 1st Pursuit Group, Jun-Dec 1918
- Unknown, Dec 1918-22 Aug 1919
- 1st Pursuit Group, 22 Aug 1919-consolidation
- Consolidated Squadron: 1st Pursuit Group, from consolidation in 1936
- 4th Composite Group, 14 Dec 1940
- 24th Pursuit Group24th Pursuit GroupThe 24th Pursuit Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was wiped out in the Battle of the Philippines . The survivors fought as infantry during Battle of Bataan and after their surrender, were subjected to the Bataan Death March, although some did escape to Australia. The unit was...
, 1 Oct 1941-2 Apr 1946 - 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Dec 1971-15 Nov 1974
- 363d Tactical Fighter (later, 363d Fighter) Wing363d Air Expeditionary WingThe 363d Air Expeditionary Operations Group is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 363d Air Expeditionary Wing, stationed at Prince Sultan AB, Saudi Arabia...
, 1 Jul 1982
- Attached to 363d Tactical Fighter Wing Provisional, 9 Aug 1990-13 Mar 1991
- 363d Operations Group, 1 May 1992-31 Dec 1993
- USAF Weapons SchoolUSAF Weapons SchoolThe USAF Weapons School is a unit of the United States Air Force, assigned to the 57th Wing. It is stationed at Nellis AFB, Nevada.-Mission:...
, 3 Feb 2003-Present
Stations
17th Aero- Camp Kelly, Texas, 16 June 1917
- TorontoTorontoToronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario, Canada, 4 August 1917
- Detachments at Camp Borden and Deseronto, OntarioOntarioOntario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada, after c. 25 August 1917- Taliaferro Field No. 1, Texas, c. 14 October 1917
- Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, New York, 23 December 1917 – 9 January 1918 - France, 10 February 1918
- Unit divided into four flights which operated from various stations in Nord, Pas-de-Calais, SommeSommeSomme is a department of France, located in the north of the country and named after the Somme river. It is part of the Picardy region of France....
, and OiseOiseOise is a department in the north of France. It is named after the river Oise.-History:Oise is one of the original 83 departments created during the French Revolution on March 4, 1790...
, until squadron reassembled on 20 June 1918- Petite-SynthePetite-SynthePetite-Synthe is a former commune of the Nord département in northern France.The commune of Saint-Pol-sur-Mer was created in 1877, by its territory being detached from Petite-Synthe. In 1972 the commune of Dunkerque absorbed Petite-Synthe and Rosendaël. In 1980, a large part of Petite-Synthe was...
, France, 20 June 1918 - Auxi-le-ChateauAuxi-le-ChâteauAuxi-le-Château is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in northern France.-Geography:A farming town located 28 miles northwest of Arras at the junction of the D938, D933 and D941 roads. The Authie river flows through the town, which once divided the commune into two parts, one in the...
, France, 19 August 1918
- Petite-Synthe
- Detachment operated from BeugnatreBeugnâtreBeugnâtre is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:A small farming village located 15 miles southeast of Arras at the junction of the D956 and D10E roads...
, 10–20 September 1918- Soncamp (near SombrinSombrinSombrin is a commune in the Pas-de-Calais department in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France.-Geography:Sombrin lies southwest of Arras, at the junction of the D59, D80 and D79 roads.-Population:-Places of interest:...
), France, 20 September 1918 - ToulToulToul is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.It is a sub-prefecture of the department.-Geography:Toul is located between Commercy and Nancy, and situated between the Moselle River and the Canal de la Marne au Rhin....
, France, 4 November 1918 - Colombey-les-BellesColombey-les-BellesColombey-les-Belles is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-Heraldry:-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department...
, France, 12 December 1918 - NantesNantesNantes is a city in western France, located on the Loire River, from the Atlantic coast. The city is the 6th largest in France, while its metropolitan area ranks 8th with over 800,000 inhabitants....
, France, 15 January-7 March 1919 - Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, New York, C. 20 March-1 April 1919.
- Soncamp (near Sombrin
147th Aero (later 17th Pursuit) Squadron
- Kelly Field, Texas, 11 November 1917
- Taliaferro Field No. 2, Texas, 12 November 1917
- Taliaferro Field No. 1, Texas, 22 December 1917
- Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, New York, 19 February-5 March 1918 - ToursToursTours is a city in central France, the capital of the Indre-et-Loire department.It is located on the lower reaches of the river Loire, between Orléans and the Atlantic coast. Touraine, the region around Tours, is known for its wines, the alleged perfection of its local spoken French, and for the...
, France, 25. March 1918 - Epiez, France, 22 April 1918
- Toul, France, June 1918
- TouquinTouquinTouquin is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-References:*In one of his flights as a World War 1 flying ace, Snoopy flew over Touquin.-External links:* *...
, France, 28 June 1918 - Saints, Seine-et-MarneSaints, Seine-et-MarneSaints is a commune in the Seine-et-Marne department in the Île-de-France region in north-central France.-History:Saints appears on early maps as Sanz. It is an agricultural village perched above the Petit Aubetin River....
, France, 9 July 1918 - Rembercourt, France, 1 September 1918
- Colombey-les-BellesColombey-les-BellesColombey-les-Belles is a commune in the Meurthe-et-Moselle department in north-eastern France.-Heraldry:-See also:*Communes of the Meurthe-et-Moselle department...
, France, 12 December 1918 - BrestBrest, FranceBrest is a city in the Finistère department in Brittany in northwestern France. Located in a sheltered position not far from the western tip of the Breton peninsula, and the western extremity of metropolitan France, Brest is an important harbour and the second French military port after Toulon...
, France, 5 February-8 March 1919 - Garden CityGarden City, New YorkGarden City is a village in the town of Hempstead in central Nassau County, New York, in the United States. It was founded by multi-millionaire Alexander Turney Stewart in 1869, and is located on Long Island, to the east of New York City, from mid-town Manhattan, and just south of the town of...
, New York, 19 March 1919 - Selfridge FieldSelfridge FieldSelfridge Air National Guard Base or Selfridge ANGB is an Air National Guard installation located in Harrison Township, Michigan, near Mount Clemens.-Units and organizations:...
, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 27 April 1919 - Kelly Field, Texas, 31 August 1919
- Ellington FieldEllington FieldEllington International Airport is a joint civil-military airport located in the U.S. state of Texas within the city of Houston— southeast of Downtown. Established by the Army Air Service on 21 May 1917, Ellington Field was one of the initial World War I Army Air Service installations when...
, Texas, 1 July 1921 - Selfridge FieldSelfridge FieldSelfridge Air National Guard Base or Selfridge ANGB is an Air National Guard installation located in Harrison Township, Michigan, near Mount Clemens.-Units and organizations:...
, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, 1 July 1922 to consolidation in 1936.
Consolidated squadron
- Selfridge FieldSelfridge FieldSelfridge Air National Guard Base or Selfridge ANGB is an Air National Guard installation located in Harrison Township, Michigan, near Mount Clemens.-Units and organizations:...
, MichiganMichiganMichigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, from consolidation in 1936 to 27 October 1940 - Nichols FieldNichols FieldNichols Field was a U.S. military airfield located south of Manila in Pasay City and Parañaque City, Metro Manila, Luzon, the Philippines. During the World War II era, it was the location of the Far East Air Force's U.S. 20th Air Base Group. Also, based here was Troop F of the U.S. 26th Cavalry...
, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines, 5 December 1940
- Operated from Clark Field, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines, 9–24 December 1941- Bataan Field, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines, 25 December 1941 – April 1942
- Bataan Field, Luzon
- Air echelon operated from: Lubao Field, LuzonLuzonLuzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, Philippines,25–31 December 1941 - Air echelon operated from: Del Monte Airfield, MindanaoMindanaoMindanao is the second largest and easternmost island in the Philippines. It is also the name of one of the three island groups in the country, which consists of the island of Mindanao and smaller surrounding islands. The other two are Luzon and the Visayas. The island of Mindanao is called The...
, Philippines, c. 8 April–May 1942- Korat Royal Thai Air Force BaseKorat Royal Thai Air Force BaseKorat Royal Thai Air Force Base is a base of the Royal Thai Air Force. It is located in northeast Thailand, located approximately 157 miles northeast of Bangkok and about 5 miles south of Nakhon Ratchasima , the second largest city in Thailand.During the Vietnam War, Korat RTAFB was the...
, Thailand, 1 December 1971 – 15 November 1974 - Shaw AFB, South CarolinaSouth CarolinaSouth Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, 1 July 1982 – 31 December 1993
- Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base
- Deployed to Al Dhafra AB, United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab EmiratesThe United Arab Emirates, abbreviated as the UAE, or shortened to "the Emirates", is a state situated in the southeast of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia on the Persian Gulf, bordering Oman, and Saudi Arabia, and sharing sea borders with Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Iran.The UAE is a...
, 9 August 1990 – 13 March 1991- Nellis AFB, NevadaNevadaNevada is a state in the western, mountain west, and southwestern regions of the United States. With an area of and a population of about 2.7 million, it is the 7th-largest and 35th-most populous state. Over two-thirds of Nevada's people live in the Las Vegas metropolitan area, which contains its...
, 3 February 2003–present
- Nellis AFB, Nevada
Aircraft
17th Aero Squadron- JN-4, 1917
- Sopwith F-1 Camel, 1918
- Spad XIII, 1918
147th Aero (later 17th Pursuit) Squadron
- Nieuport 28, 1918
- Spad XIII, 1918
- In addition to SE-5, 1919–1922 Spad XIII, 1921–1922, and MB-3, 1922–1925
- Included DH-4 during period 1919–1925
- PW-8, 1924–1926
- P-1,1926–1930
- P-12, 1930–1932
- P-6, 1932–1934
- P-26, 1934 to consolidation in 1936.
Consolidated squadron
- In addition to P-26, from consolidation in 1936 to 1938, included P-6 during period 1936–1938
- In addition to P-35, 1938–1940, included C-40, 1939–1940
- P-26 PeashooterP-26 PeashooterThe American Boeing P-26 Peashooter, was the first all-metal production fighter aircraft and the first pursuit monoplane used by the United States Army Air Corps...
, 1940–1941 - Seversky P-35Seversky P-35The Seversky P-35 was a fighter aircraft built in the United States by the Seversky Aircraft Company in the late 1930s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, the P-35 was the first single-seat fighter in U.S...
, 1941 - P-40 Warhawk, 1941–1942
- F-105 ThunderchiefF-105 ThunderchiefThe Republic F-105 Thunderchief, was a supersonic fighter-bomber used by the United States Air Force. The Mach 2 capable F-105 conducted the majority of strike bombing missions during the early years of the Vietnam War; it has the dubious distinction of being the only US aircraft to have been...
, 1971–1974 - F-16 Fighting FalconF-16 Fighting FalconThe General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multirole jet fighter aircraft originally developed by General Dynamics for the United States Air Force . Designed as an air superiority day fighter, it evolved into a successful all-weather multirole aircraft. Over 4,400 aircraft have been built since...
, 1982–1993 - F-15E Strike EagleF-15E Strike EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagle is an all-weather multirole fighter, derived from the McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle. The F-15E was designed in the 1980s for long-range, high speed interdiction without relying on escort or electronic warfare aircraft. United States Air Force F-15E Strike...
, 2003–present
Campaigns
World War IWorld War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
(credits of consolidated squadron)
- Picardy (earned by 17th Aero)
- Somme Defensive (earned by 17th Aero)
- Lorraine (earned by 147th Aero)
- Montdidier-Noyon (earned by 17th Aero)
- Flanders (earned by 17th Aero)
- Champagne (earned by 147th Aero)
- Ile-de-France (earned by 147th Aero)
- Champagne-Marne (earned by 147th Aero)
- Aisne-Marne (earned by 147th Aero)
- Somme Offensive (earned by 17th Aero)
- Oise-Aisne (earned by 147th Aero)
- St Mihiel (earned by 147th Aero)
- Meuse-Argonne (earned by 147th Aero).
World War II
- Philippines (1941–42)
- JavaBattle of Java (1942)The Battle of Java was a battle of the Pacific theatre of World War II. It occurred on the island of Java from 28 February-12 March 1942. It involved forces from the Empire of Japan, which invaded on 28 February 1942, and Allied personnel...
(1942)
See also
- Howard BurdickHoward BurdickLieutenant Howard Burdick was a World War I flying ace credited with eight confirmed aerial victories.-Reference:* American Aces of World War I. Norman Franks, Harry Dempsey. Osprey Publishing, 2001. ISBN 1-84176-375-6, 9781841763750.----...
- Howard KnottsHoward KnottsLieutenant Howard Clayton Knotts was a World War I flying ace credited with six aerial victories.-Early life:Howard Clayton Knotts was the son of district attorney Edward Knotts, and was reared in Carlinville, Illinois.-World War I:...
- Robert ToddRobert ToddRobert Todd is the name of:*Robert Bentley Todd , Irish physician who described Todd's palsy*Robert Todd , Kentucky soldier and politician*Robert Todd , English field hockey player...
- William TiptonWilliam TiptonLieutenant William Dolley Tipton began his military career as a World War I Sopwith Camel pilot. The U.S. Air Force officially credits him with four aerial victories during the war, although other sources claim he had five, and thus was a flying ace...
- George Augustus Vaughn, Jr.George Augustus Vaughn, Jr.George Augustus Vaughn, Jr. was an American fighter ace in World War I and Distinguished Service Cross, Britain's Distinguished Flying Cross, and Silver Star recipient....
- Lloyd HamiltonLloyd Hamilton (aviator)First Lieutenant Lloyd Andrews Hamilton was a World War I flying ace credited with ten aerial victories. During five months of 1918 he became an ace with the Royal Flying Corps and then again with the United States Air Service...
- Robert OldsRobert OldsRobert Olds was a general officer in the United States Army Air Forces, theorist of strategic air power, and proponent of an independent United States Air Force. Olds is best known today as the father of Brig. Gen...
- List of American Aero Squadrons