94th Fighter Squadron

94th Fighter Squadron
SPAD XIII at the United States Air Force Museum shown in 94th Aero Squadron (Pursuit) markings. Aircraft is marked as Eddie Rickenbacker's aircraft.



94th Fighter Squadron F-22A Raptor formation flown on the squadron's 90th Anniversary, 17 August 2007
Active1917–1945; 1946–present
Country United States
Branch United States Air Force
TypeSquadron
RoleFighter
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQJoint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia
Nickname(s)"Hat in the Ring"
Tail Code"FF"
Engagements

  • World War I

  • World War II - Antisubmarine

  • World War II - EAME Theater

  • 1991 Gulf War (Defense of Saudi Arabia; Liberation of Kuwait)

  • Operation Northern Watch
    Operation Southern Watch

  • Global War on Terrorism - Operation Noble Eagle
Decorations

  • Distinguished Unit Citation (3x)

  • Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (7x)

  • French Croix De Guerre (World War I) (2x)
Battle honours
  • French Fourragere (World War I)
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Paul V. Hester
Earle E. Partridge
Eddie Rickenbacker
Ennis Whitehead
Insignia
94th Fighter Squadron emblem[note 1]
94th Aero Squadron emblem[note 2]
94th Pursuit Squadron emblem[note 3]

The 94th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force 1st Operations Group located at Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia. The 94th is equipped with the F-22 Raptor.[1]

The 94 FS is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, first being organized on 20 August 1917 as the 94th Aero Squadron of the United States Army Air Service at Kelly Field, Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a pursuit squadron. It took part in the Champagne-Marne defensive; Aisne-Marne offensive; St. Mihiel offensive, and Meuse-Argonne offensive.[2]

In 1924, it was consolidated with the 103d Aero Squadron (Pursuit). The 103d was largely composed of former members of the French Air Service Lafayette Escadrille (from the French Escadrille de Lafayette). This was a squadron of American volunteer pilots who had joined the French Air Service prior to the United States entry into the war on 6 April 1917.[3] In July 1926, with the disestablishment of the U.S. Army Air Service, the squadron became part of the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC).

In June 1941, the squadron became part of the renamed U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). During World War II the unit served in the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) as part of Twelfth Air Force as a P-38 Lightning fighter squadron, participating in the North African and Italian campaigns. In September 1947, it became part of the newly established United States Air Force (USAF). During the Cold War it was both an Air Defense Command (ADC) fighter-interceptor squadron, and later as part of Tactical Air Command (TAC). It was one of the first USAF operational squadrons equipped with the F-15A Eagle in January 1976.[3][4] With the disestablishment of TAC in 1992, it was assigned to the newly established Air Combat Command (ACC).


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  1. ^ Robertson, Patsy (22 July 2010). "Factsheet 94 Fighter Squadron (ACC)". Air Force Historical Research Agency. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
  2. ^ Gorrell, History of the 94th Aero Squadron[page needed]
  3. ^ a b Maurer, Combat Squadrons, pp. 314–316
  4. ^ Rogers, [page needed].