310th Fighter Squadron

310th Fighter Squadron
Squadron flagship Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II taxiing during an inaugural sortie.
Active1942–1946; 1952–1962; 1969–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter Training
Part ofAir Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQLuke Air Force Base
Nickname(s)The Deterrents (1958–1962)
Top Hats[citation needed]
Motto(s)“Dressed to Kill”
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines)
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Insignia
310th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 9 October 1943, reinstated 6 November 1987)[1][2]
310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron emblem (approved 18 May 1983)[2]
Patch with 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron emblem (approved 7 April 1972)[2]
Patch with 310th Tactical Missile Squadron emblem (approved 5 May 1961)[2]
F-16C Block 42J Fighting Falcon 90-0768 flies over the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico during a QF-4 drone.
310th TFTS McDonnell F-4C-23-MC Phantom 64-0777, 1980. Note the red star on the intake, noting this aircraft shot down a MiG aircraft during the Vietnam War.
Ling-Temco-Vought A-7D-3-CV Corsair II (68-6226) of the 310th TFTS, May 1971.
MGM-1 Matador

The 310th Fighter Squadron is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. It operates the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II, conducting advanced fighter training.

The unit, which adopted its original "Tophat" name in September 1987, has earned two Distinguished Unit Citations, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, and nine Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards.

  1. ^ a b Robertson, Patsy (6 April 2010). "Factsheet 310 Fighter Squadron (AETC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 17 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b c d Endicott, p. 726