71st Fighter Squadron

71st Fighter Squadron
F-22A Raptor of the 71st FS at Langley AFB
Active1940–1945; 1946–2010; 2015–unknown; 2023–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleFighter
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQJoint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia
Nickname(s)The Ironmen[1]
EngagementsWorld War II
Gulf War
Operation Southern Watch
Operation Noble Eagle
Operation Iraqi Freedom
DecorationsDistinguished Unit Citation
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2]
Commanders
Current
commander
Lt. Col. Andrew Gray[1]
Notable
commanders
Ronald Keys
Insignia
71st Fighter Squadron Emblem
[2][note 1]
71 Fighter Sq emblem (approved 10 October 1947)[3]
71st Fighter Squadron emblem (World War II)[4]
71st Pursuit Squadron emblem[4]

The 71st Fighter Squadron (71 FS) is an active squadron of the United States Air Force, part of the 1st Operations Group of the 1st Fighter Wing. Stationed at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia, the squadron serves as a training unit, flying the F-22 Raptor.

First activated in 1941, the squadron served in the European theatre of World War II, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, as well as the Iraq War.

  1. ^ a b Durbin, SRA R. Alex (24 August 2015). "71st FTS 'Ironmen' return to Langley". 633d Air Base Wing Public Affairs. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  2. ^ a b Dollman, TSG David (18 May 2017). "Fact Sheet, 71 Fighter Training Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 18 September 2017.
  3. ^ Maurer, Combat Squadrons, p. 99
  4. ^ a b Watkins, p. 14


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