Unit Name: | 70th Fighter Squadron |
Dates: | 1941–1945; 1975–2000 |
Role: | Fighter |
Nickname: | White Knights |
Battles: | Southwest Pacific Theater[1] |
Decorations: | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
Identification Symbol Label: | 70th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 17 May 1954[2] |
The 70th Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force squadron. The Squadron was constituted on 14 Dec 1940 as the 70th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor). This squadron was activated on 1 Jan 1941 and patrolled the airspace around Fiji. After the war, the squadron was declared inactivated on 26 Dec 1945. The 70th Tactical Fighter Squadron was reinstated on 8 Sep 1975 and serve the 70th Fighter Squadron was retired on 1 Nov 1991. It was most recently part of the 347th Wing at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. It operated Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting ground attack missions.
The 70th provided air defense for Fiji from, February–December 1942. It then went on to fly combat missions in South and Southwest Pacific from, 21 December 1942 – 21 July 1944 and 9 September 1944 – 9 August 1945.
It deployed aircraft and personnel to Southwest Asia from, 10 January – 16 September 1992.[1]
Activated on 1 January 1941
Redesignated: 70th Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942
Redesignated: 70th Fighter Squadron, Single Engine on 20 August 1943
Redesignated: 70th Fighter Squadron, Two Engine on 24 May 1944
Inactivated on 26 December 1945
Activated on 30 September 1975
Redesignated 70th Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991[3]
Inactivated on 30 June 2000