615th Tactical Fighter Squadron
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The 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phan Rang Air Base, South Vietnam, where it was inactivated on 15 July 1971.
615th Tactical Fighter Squadron | |
---|---|
Active | 1943–1945; 1947–1949; 1957–1971 |
Country | United States |
Branch | United States Air Force |
Role | Tactical fighter |
Motto(s) | Press on |
Engagements | European Theater of Operations Vietnam War |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award |
Insignia | |
Patch with 615th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem[lower-alpha 2][1] | |
615th Bombardment Squadron emblem[2][lower-alpha 3] | |
World War II Fuselage Code[2] | IY |
The squadron was first activated during World War II as the 615th Bombardment Squadron. After training in the United States it moved to England, where it participated in the strategic bombing campaign against Germany. It earned two Distinguished Unit Citations for combat action. Following V-E Day, the squadron was inactivated in England. It was briefly active in the reserves from 1947 to 1949.
The squadron was reactivated as the 615th Fighter-Bomber Squadron in 1957, when the 401st Fighter-Bomber Wing expanded from three to four squadrons. In 1966, the squadron moved to Phan Rang Air Base, Vietnam, engaging in combat operations until inactivating in 1971 as the United States withdrew its forces from South Vietnam.