2nd Fighter Squadron [2nd FS]
The 2nd Fighter Squadron, known as the "American Beagle Squadron", began its history in January 1941 when it was activated as the 2nd Pursuit Squadron. In 1942, the squadron was redesigned as the 2nd Fighter Squadron, and unofficially called the American Beagle Squadron. In the Mediterranean Theater of Operations, the squadron flew the Supermarine Spitfire MkIV and the North American P-51 Mustang, producing 11 fighter aces and achieving 183.33 aerial victories, the last which was a German jet bomber.
During the Cold War the 2nd flew a number of interceptor aircraft until transitioning to the McDonnell Douglas F-15 in 1984. In Operation DESERT STORM, 2nd Fighter Squadron graduates accounted for 11 of 35 aerial victories. True testimonies to the level of training student pilots receive at Tyndall.
During May 1984, the squadron became the 2nd Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and in 1991, was redesignated the 2nd Fighter Squadron. The "American Beagle Squadron" flies the F-15 Eagle and are charged with providing near mission ready F-15 pilots for worldwide assignment.
The squadron was previously known as the "Horny Horses". The unit changed its designation, in november 1999, back to the "American Beagle Squadron," founded 54 years ago in order to capture the total history of the squadron.
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