68th Fighter Squadron

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68th Fighter Squadron
68th Fighter Squadron F-16C Fighting Falcon at Moody AFB in July 1995
Active	1941–1971; 1973–2001
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Fighter
Nickname(s)	Lightning Lancers[1]
Engagements	Asia-Pacific Theater World War II Korean War Vietnam War
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation (3x) Presidential Unit Citation (2x) Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (8x) Philippine Presidential Unit Citation[1]
Commanders
Notable commanders	Joseph Ralston Matt Neuenswander
Insignia
68th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 29 November 1944)[2]

The 68th Fighter Squadron was one of the longest-serving fighter squadrons in U.S. Air Force history, remaining active almost continually for 60 years. Known as the "Lightning Lancers", on the morning of 27 June 1950 pilots of the 68th Fighter-All Weather Squadron flying the North American F-82 Twin Mustang made history by achieving the first aerial kill of the Korean War.

The 68th was most recently part of the 347th Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operated General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft conducting air superiority missions. The squadron was inactivated in 2001.