21st Fighter Squadron

21st Fighter Squadron
21st Squadron F-16 Fighting Falcons in formation[note 1][1]
Active1944–1946; 1954–1959; 1972–1991; 1991–1993; 1996–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter Training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQMorris Air National Guard Base
Nickname(s)Black Panthers (before 1959) Gamblers (after 1972)
ColorsRed & Black
EngagementsPacific Ocean Theater
DecorationsAir Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt Col Javier "Ponch" Antuña[citation needed]
Insignia
21st Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 18 March 2008)[2]
21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron emblem
21st Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 5 January 1946)[3]

The 21st Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, however it is separately based at Morris Air National Guard Base.[4] It is a United States Air Force squadron that operates Taiwan-owned General Dynamics F-16V Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting fighter and maintenance training for the pilots and maintainers of the Republic of China Air Force.[1][5]

Prior to reforming at Luke in 1997, the 21st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron operated McDonnell F-4E Phantom IIs at George Air Force Base, California until 1993.


Cite error: There are <ref group=note> tags on this page, but the references will not show without a {{reflist|group=note}} template (see the help page).

  1. ^ a b "ROCAF Lockheed Martin F-16A/B".
  2. ^ a b Robertson, Patsy (3 April 2014). "21 Fighter Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2016.
  3. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 111
  4. ^ AirForces Monthly. Stamford, Lincolnshire, England: Key Publishing Ltd. January 2023. p. 17.
  5. ^ "Luke Air Force Base > Units > 56th Operations Group".