First flight with a piece of history

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rae Perry
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  Born May 14, 1941, on the battlefields of World War II, the 335th Fighter Squadron is one of the oldest and most prestigious fighter squadrons in United States' history.

This year marked the 70th anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) 121 Eagle Squadron, the squadron that later became the 335th FS. To celebrate this occasion, Air Combat Command approved of two heritage patches to be flown on the nose and left conformal fuel tank of the F-15E Strike Eagle flagship for the 335th Fighter Squadron until May of 2012.

"The patches visually depict the heritage of not just the 335th but also the 4th Fighter Wing," said Lt. Col. David Moeller, 335th Fighter Squadron commander. "There are very few Air Force wings that can lay claim to 70 years of distinguished history."

The "Chiefs' Head" insignia on the fuel tank dates back to the original emblem used by RAF 121 Eagle Squadron, which featured the profile of a Native American chief. The emblem found on the nose was flown by all three Eagle Squadrons 71, 121 and 133 in World War II. The Eagle Squadrons were comprised of American volunteers who flew for Great Britain before the U.S. entered the war.

The three Eagle Squadrons were transferred to the command of the 4th Fighter Group Sept. 12, 1942, where they flew P-47 Thunderbolts and P-51 Mustangs. During the war, the 335th destroyed 262 enemy aircraft and escorted bombers over the German heartland. After the conclusion of WWII, American forces transitioned to jet-propelled aircraft.

In November of 1950, having transitioned from the F-80 Shooting Stars to the F-86 Sabrejet, the Chiefs were in the skies over Korea where they earned the title of "World's Leading MiG Killers" with 218.5 confirmed kills, this record still stands today and is likely to not be bested.

Since their transition from RAF Eagle Squadron to the U.S. Air Force, the 335th FS has participated in every major conflict since the Korean War, including the Vietnam War, operations Desert Storm, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

"The 4th Fighter Wing has a proud lineage of sustained and significant combat operations, "stated Maj. Todd Dyer, 335th Fighter Squadron director of operations. "The Chiefs are very humbled to have been there since the beginning."

The newly-decorated 335th FS flagship took its first flight with the new patches July 19, and was piloted by Moeller and Capt. Joseph Stenger.