1st Fighter Squadron [1st FS]
The history of the "Fightin' Furies" began with the constitution of the 1st Fighter Squadron on October 5, 1944 and its activation as part of the 413th Fighter Group on October 15, 1945. During World War II, the squadron flew P-47s. On an island near Okinawa the 1st launched P-47 Thunderbolts against the Japanese, amassing almost 1,200 combat air patrol, bombing, strafing and escort missions. It was during this era that the squadron adopted its emblem, "Miss Fury".
The 1st Fighter Squadron was redesignated as the 1st Fighter-Day Squadron on August 26, 1954 and activated as part of the 413th Fighter-Day Wing on November 11, 1954. Then, on July 1, 1958, the squadron was subsequently named the 1st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron as part of the 413th Tactical Fighter Wing. During this time, the squadron trained numerous fighter pilots, in F-86s from 1954-1956 and F-100s from 1956-1959. The 1st Tactical Fighting Training Squadron operated out of George AFB, CA, until it was again deactivated on March 15, 1959 with Lt. Col. Charles E. "Chuck" Yeager as commander.
On January 1, 1984, the squadron was reactivated as the 1st Tactical Fighter Training Squadron, part of the 325th Tactical Training Wing at Tyndall AFB. The 1st TFTS was activated in order to train fighter pilots in the McDonnell Douglas air superiority aircraft, the F-15 "Eagle".
On September 17, 1991, due to a major Air Force reorganization, the operations and maintenance functions of the 1st formed one combined squadron. Thus the squadron was renamed the 1st Fighter Squadron.
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