| 19th Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
| Active | 1917–1919; 1921–1922; 1923–1946; 1982–1993; 1994–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam |
| Nickname | Gamecocks[1] |
| Equipment | Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor |
| Engagements | Pearl Harbor Battle of Saipan Battle of Tinian Battle of Guam Operation Southern Watch |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award[2] |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Paul "Loco" Lopez |
| Insignia | |
| 19th Fighter Squadron emblem(approved 12 November 1993)[2] | |
| 19th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem(approved 10 December 1981)[3] | |
| 19th Pursuit Squadron emblem(approved 20 April 1928)[4] | |
The19th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force fighter squadron and is a part of thePacific Air Forces' (PACAF)15th Wing based atJoint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam, Hawaii.
The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 14 June 1917, being organized atKelly Field, Texas. It served overseas in France as part of theAmerican Expeditionary Force duringWorld War I. The squadron saw combat duringWorld War II, and became part of theTactical Air Command during theCold War.
Today the 19th FS operates theF-22 Raptor aircraft conducting offensive and defensive counterair (air-to-air) missions, as well as strategic attack, interdiction, and suppression of enemy air defenses. The 19th FS is an active associate total force integration (TFI) unit augmenting the199th FS in support ofOperation Noble Eagle and taskings in the INDOPACOM area of responsibility.
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Originally established as anArmy Flying School Squadron, the 19th was based in Texas, Ohio, and New York for short periods. After a few weeks at the Air Service Replacement Concentration Barracks inSt. Maixent, from 1 January 1918, the squadron moved for Seventh Aviation Instruction Center (repair) at Aulnat Aerodrome, east ofClermont-Ferrand, France, to train and observe the French company Michelin's airplane manufacture and assembly procedures.[2] Till the end of 1918, it remained with the 7th AIC. The squadron left France on March 18, 1919, after departing for Cenac, close to Bordeaux, on December 29.
Renamed the 19th Pursuit Squadron, the squadron flew from various locations in theHawaiian Islands beginning in 1923.[2]


The squadron suffered sixcasualties as a result of theattack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on 7 December 1941, but no fatalities.[2]
The squadron was then stationed aboard theUSS Natoma Bay, offSaipan. Upon arriving, the 19th flew night and day missions,strafing and using general purposebombs androckets in support of advancing U.S. ground troops. Using homemadenapalm bombs made out of napalm, gasoline, and oil placed inside fuel tanks, the 19th helped U.S. forces successfully invade and capture Saipan,Tinian, andGuam islands in only three months. The squadron's mission then changed to long-rangebomber escort missions with occasional strike missions to nearbyPagan Island andIwo Jima. The squadron then relocated toOkinawa, where the first 19 FS pilots were awarded their 'ace' rating. Later, in August 1945, after numerous aerial victories and assorted bombing missions, it participated in theJapanese surrender.[2]

From 1982–1993, it trained forclose air support,air-to-air superiority, and maintained a state of readiness to deploy worldwide. In June 1987, the 19th set a new world record for the number of F-16sorties flown in one day with 160, besting the previous record of 144. In September 1992 the 19th deployed to Southwest Asia to flycombat air patrol missions to enforce terms of United Nationscease fire agreement followingOperation Desert Storm.[2]
On 1 January 1994, the 19th took over personnel, facilities and equipment of 43d Fighter Squadron atElmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska. It won the Hughes Trophy in recognition as the top air superiority squadron in the USAF for 2001. Since 1994, it has mobilized, deployed, and employed fighter aircraft worldwide to accomplish air superiority in support of warfighting commanders.
In 2010 the 19th became part of the15th Wing atJoint Base Pearl Harbor–Hickam. The 19th is an associate unit with the Hawaii Air National Guard's199th Fighter Squadron.
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This article incorporatespublic domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency