54th Fighter Squadron
Encyclopedia
The 54th Fighter Squadron (54 FS) is an inactive United States Air Force
unit. Its last assignment was to the 3d Operations Group
, being stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base
, Alaska
. It was inactivated on 28 April 2000
, California as a P-40 Warhawk pursuit group as part of the defense buildup of the United States prior to World War II.
Deployed to Alaska in mid-1942 and engaged the Japanese during the Aleutian Campaign during World War II
. Engaged in combat in the Aleutians, 1942-1943 with long-range P-38 Lightning
s. Remained in Alaska after the removal of Japanese forces, flying long range escorts for B-24 Liberator
bombing attacks of northern Japanese Kurile Islands, inactivated in 1946.
Reactivated by redesignation of North Dakota Air National Guard
175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1952 which was reverted to state control. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Mission was to provide air defense for upper Midwest. Assumed ANG F-51D Mustangs, upgraded to F-84D Thunderjet jet aircraft being returned from combat in Korea in July 1953. Upgraded to F-84Gs in December 1953; upgraded to F-86D Sabre in April 1954; upgraded to F-89J Scorpion interceptors in 1957. Inactivated on 25 Dec 1960.
Reactivated as an F-15 Eagle
air superiority squadron in Alaska in 1987, it provided air defense until being inactivated in 2000.
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
unit. Its last assignment was to the 3d Operations Group
3d Operations Group
The 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
, being stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base
Elmendorf Air Force Base
Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson is a United States military facility adjacent to Anchorage, the largest city in Alaska. It is an amalgamation of the former United States Air Force Elmendorf Air Force Base and the United States Army Fort Richardson, which were merged in 2010.-Overview:The...
, Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
. It was inactivated on 28 April 2000
History
Activated on 15 Jan 1941 at Hamilton FieldHamilton Air Force Base
Hamilton Air Force Base was a United States Air Force base located along the western shore of San Pablo Bay, south of Novato, California.-History:...
, California as a P-40 Warhawk pursuit group as part of the defense buildup of the United States prior to World War II.
Deployed to Alaska in mid-1942 and engaged the Japanese during the Aleutian Campaign during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. Engaged in combat in the Aleutians, 1942-1943 with long-range P-38 Lightning
P-38 Lightning
The Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
s. Remained in Alaska after the removal of Japanese forces, flying long range escorts for B-24 Liberator
B-24 Liberator
The Consolidated B-24 Liberator was an American heavy bomber, designed by Consolidated Aircraft of San Diego, California. It was known within the company as the Model 32, and a small number of early models were sold under the name LB-30, for Land Bomber...
bombing attacks of northern Japanese Kurile Islands, inactivated in 1946.
Reactivated by redesignation of North Dakota Air National Guard
North Dakota Air National Guard
The North Dakota Air National Guard is the air force militia of the U.S. state of North Dakota. It is, along with the North Dakota Army National Guard, an element of the North Dakota National Guard. It is considered a part of the United States Air Force, as well as of the state.-Mission:The mission...
175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron in 1952 which was reverted to state control. Assigned to Air Defense Command. Mission was to provide air defense for upper Midwest. Assumed ANG F-51D Mustangs, upgraded to F-84D Thunderjet jet aircraft being returned from combat in Korea in July 1953. Upgraded to F-84Gs in December 1953; upgraded to F-86D Sabre in April 1954; upgraded to F-89J Scorpion interceptors in 1957. Inactivated on 25 Dec 1960.
Reactivated as an F-15 Eagle
F-15 Eagle
The McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
air superiority squadron in Alaska in 1987, it provided air defense until being inactivated in 2000.
Lineage
- Constituted 54th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on 20 Nov 1940
- Activated on 15 Jan 1941
- Redesignated: 54th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) (Twin Engine) on 31 Jan 1942
- Redesignated: 54th Fighter Squadron (Twin Engine) on 15 May 1942
- Redesignated: 54th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine, on 20 Aug 1943
- Inactivated on 21 Mar 1946
- Redesignated 54th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 10 Oct 1952
- Activated on 1 Dec 1952 as redesignation of 175th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (ND ANG)
- Discontinued, and inactivated, on 25 Dec 1960
- Redesignated 54th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 13 Jan 1987
- Activated on 8 May 1987
- Redesignated 54th Fighter Squadron on 26 Sep 1991
- Inactivated on 28 Apr 2000
Assignments
- 55th Pursuit (later, 55th Fighter) Group, 15 Jan 1941
- Attached to XI Fighter CommandXI Fighter CommandThe XI Fighter Command is an inactive United States Air Force unit. Its last assignment was with Eleventh Air Force, stationed at Adak Army Airfield, Alaska...
, 31 May-11 Sep 1941- 343d Fighter Group, 11 Sep 1942-21 Mar 1946
- 31st Air Division, 1 Dec 1952
- 29th Air Division, 16 Feb 1953-25 Dec 1960
- 21st Tactical Fighter Wing, 8 May 1987
- 21st Operations Group21st Operations GroupThe 21st Operations Group is an operational component of the 21st Space Wing, stationed at Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado.The mission of the 21st OG is to provide overall management and guidance to 21 geographically separated units assigned to the wing, which provide attack warning and space...
, 26 Sep 1991 - 3d Operations Group3d Operations GroupThe 3d Operations Group is the operational flying component of the United States Air Force 3d Wing. It is stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska, and is assigned to the Pacific Air Forces Eleventh Air Force....
, 19 Dec 1991-28 Apr 2000
Stations
- Hamilton Field, CaliforniaCaliforniaCalifornia is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, 15 Jan 1941 - Portland Army Air Base, OregonOregonOregon is a state in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. It is located on the Pacific coast, with Washington to the north, California to the south, Nevada on the southeast and Idaho to the east. The Columbia and Snake rivers delineate much of Oregon's northern and eastern...
, 22 May 1941 - Paine FieldPaine FieldPaine Field, also known as Snohomish County Airport is a public airport located in unincorporated Snohomish County, between Mukilteo and Everett, Washington...
, Washington, 22 Jan-25 May 1942 - Elmendorf Field, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
, 31 May-c. 24 Aug 1942
- Detachment at Ft Randall AAFCold Bay AirportCold Bay Airport is a public-use airport located in Cold Bay, a city in the Aleutians East Borough of the U.S. state of Alaska. It is owned by the state and is one of the main airports serving the Alaska Peninsula.-Overview:...
, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
, c. 6 Jun-c. 31 Jul 1942 - Detachment at Ft Glenn AAFCape Field at Fort GlennCape Field at Fort Glenn also known as Umnak Airport, is a site significant for its role in World War II fighting. It "provided aerial defensive cover for the U.S...
, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
, c. 6 Jun-c. 19 Sep 1942- Adak AAFAdak Airport-Top Destinations:-See also:* Alaska World War II Army AirfieldsAmerican airlines Boeing 777-200 From Dallas Fort Worth Airport enroute to Tokyo Narita diverted to Adak Airport Due to A fire Warning in the cargo hold.-References:...
, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
,c. 31 Aug 1942
- Adak AAF
- Amchitka AAFAnnette Island AirportAnnette Island Airport is located on Annette Island in thePrince of Wales – Hyder Census Area of the U.S. state of Alaska. The airport is privately owned by the Metlakatla Indian Comm...
, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
,12 Mar 1943 - Shemya AAFEareckson Air StationEareckson Air Station is a United States Air Force military airport located on the island of Shemya, in the Alaskan Aleutian Islands. It was closed as an active Air Force Station on 1 July 1994, however the airport is still owned by the USAF and is operated by the USAF 611th Air Support Squadron...
, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
,c. 18 Oct 1943 - Attu Airfield, Alaska TerritoryAlaska TerritoryThe Territory of Alaska was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from August 24, 1912, until January 3, 1959, when it was admitted to the Union as the State of Alaska...
, c. 20 Nov 1943-8 Mar 1946 - Fort LawtonFort LawtonFort Lawton is a United States Army fort located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. The fort was included in the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure list.-History:...
, Washington, 20-21 Mar 1946 - Rapid City (later, Ellsworth) AFB, South DakotaSouth DakotaSouth Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, 1 Dec 1952-25 Dec 1960 - Elmendorf AFB, AlaskaAlaskaAlaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, 8 May 1987-28 Apr 2000
Aircraft
- Seversky P-35Seversky P-35The Seversky P-35 was a fighter aircraft built in the United States by the Seversky Aircraft Company in the late 1930s. A contemporary of the Hawker Hurricane and Messerschmitt Bf 109, the P-35 was the first single-seat fighter in U.S...
, 1941–1942 - P-40 Warhawk, 1941–1942
- P-43 LancerP-43 LancerThe Republic P-43 Lancer was a single-engine, all-metal, low-wing monoplane fighter aircraft built by Republic, first delivered to the United States Army Air Corps in 1940. A proposed development was the P-44 Rocket. While no world-beater as a fighter, the P-43A had a very good high-altitude...
, 1941–1942 - F-5 Mustang, 1943
- P-38 LightningP-38 LightningThe Lockheed P-38 Lightning was a World War II American fighter aircraft built by Lockheed. Developed to a United States Army Air Corps requirement, the P-38 had distinctive twin booms and a single, central nacelle containing the cockpit and armament...
, 1942–1946
- F-51D Mustang, 1952–1953
- F-84G Thunderjet, 1953–1954
- F-86D Sabre Interceptor, 1954–1957
- F-89J Scorpion, 1957–1960
- F-15 EagleF-15 EagleThe McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle is a twin-engine, all-weather tactical fighter designed by McDonnell Douglas to gain and maintain air superiority in aerial combat. It is considered among the most successful modern fighters with over 100 aerial combat victories with no losses in dogfights...
, 1987–2000