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WELCOME TO |
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Activated January 15, 1941 and stationed at Selfridge Field, Michigan, the squadron was redesignated the 81st Fighter Squadron sixteen month later, and assigned to the 50th Fighter Group. Shortly before its redesignated, the 81st moved to Key Field, Miss., where as a part of the Fighter Command School, it tested equipment and conducted training in air defense operations, trained pilots and furnished cadres for night fighter units. In early 1943, the squadron was stationed at Orlando, Florida, then Alachua Army Air Field, Fla., and then Cross City Air Field, Fla. While in Florida, they operated as part of AAFSAT, Army Air Force School of Applied Tactics, March 1942 thru January 1944. In March of 1944, the squadron was sent into combat to Lymington (Station #551), England, arriving on April 4, 1944. Lymington ALG, a 90 day temporary air field, was located in Hampshire, near the New Forest, on the south east coast, across from the Isle of Wight. The 81st began combat operations on May 1, 1944, as part of the 84th Bomber Wing, Ninth Air Force. It engaged primarily in escort and dive bombing missions for the next month. On D-Day, it provided patrol and area cover for the Normandy invasion beaches on June 6th and 7th. Moved to Carentan ALG (A-10), France, on June 25,1944; they were the third fighter group to move from England to the continent. During the remainder of the Normandy Campaign, it attacked bridges, roads, vehicles, railways, trains, gun emplacement and marshalling yards. In July, 1944, the 81st was part of the force who bombed targets in the St.Lo region, during the breakout and supported the subsequent drive across France. Assigned to the First Tactical Air Force (Prov), in November 1944, it provided close air support for the Seventh Army and the 1st French Army in the (campaigns) eastward to the Rhine. It also assisted in stemming the German offensive in Saar-Hardt area early in January 1945; then engaged in the offensive that reduced the Colmar bridgehead in January - February 1945. Supported the drive that breached the Siefried and the movement of Allied Forces into southern Germany in March - April 1945. During its time in Europe, the 81st Fighter Squadron had taken part in six different campaigns and as part of the 50th Fighter Group received two Distinguished Unit Citations, Six Battle Honors and was cited in the Belgian Army's Orders of the Day, for its part in the WWII. Its Commanding Officer, Maj. Robert D. Johnston, was the only P-47 Ace of the 50th Fighter Group, for the entire war! The squadron returned to the US in July - August 1945, on board the Queen Mary. It sent a detachment representing the squadron to La Junta, CO, where the squadron officially inactivated on November 7, 1945. Activated in the Reserves at McChord Field, Washington, on July 12, 1947, assigned to the 454th Bombardment Group. Transferred without personnel or equipment to Otis AFB, MA, and reassigned to the 50th Fighter Group in Jun 1949. Personnel was called to active duty effective June 1, 1951 and after twenty-four hours, inactivated the next day, June 2, 1951. Activated again on January 1, 1953, and assigned once again to the 50th Group, at Clovis AFB, New Mexico. Transitioned from the F-51 to F-86 aircraft in the spring of 1953, and moved to Hahn Air Base, West Germany, August 3, 1953. The 81st trained for close support and armed reconnaissance missions. It provided forward air controllers for ground units and participated in USAFE, NATO, and joint exercises. Moved with the wing to Toul- Rosieres AB, France, in July 1956; and returned to Hahn AB effective December 10, 1959. Converted to the F-100 in February - May 1958 and to the F-4 in November - December 1966. Added defense suppresion mission in late 1969. In 1971, the 81st Tactical Fighter Squadron was selected to be the U.S. Air Force's first "Wild Weasel" unit and on June 12th, it moved to a new neighborhood, relocating to Zweibrücken, Germany. The 81st was detached from the 50th TFW and attached to the 86th Tactical Fighter Wing. Source: Maurer Maurer (ed.), Combat Squadrons of the Air Force, World War II (1969; reprint edition, Washington: USGPO, 1982). |
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GROUND BOUND |
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 Then there were two hangar (Lymington #551) crews, each operating on twelve-hour shifts. They did things that could not be done out on the line, such as engine changes. Assigned to the hangar crews were an electrician and a propeller man. Each squadron also had its assigned painter and carpenter. After D-Day, once in France at the Advance Landing Ground airfields, all work was performed outdoors, in whatever the weather was at the time! The schedule of the flight line crews depended on the briefing times for the pilots, there were no set hours. Pre-flight inspection All aircraft covers would be removed and a walkaround inspection was made to see if any leaks had developed over night.  The drop tanks, which had been fitted the night before, were fueled. The propller was pulled through four to six blades. The battery cart was hooked up and the engine was started for a brief run up to high power, to check mag drop, pressure and temperatures. The fuel selector was switched to the left and right tanks to draw fuel into the lines, which would make the engine cut out a few times until the lines were full, which was why this little operation had to be done on the ground. With these essential preparations complete, there remained other work to be done before the pilots came to their planes. The fuel tanks were topped off, replacing the few gallons used in the run ups. About then, the armorer would arrive to charge the guns. When his preflight was completed, there was just enough time for last minute details like polishing the windshield and canopy. Smears or specks on the plexiglass caused distractions and distortions, and sometimes recriminations from the pilots. Worse, such seemingly minor flaws might lead to a pilot not coming home. The ground crews did their best to maintain the aircraft perfectly for their pilots.  Finally, the pilots would arrive, the crew chief would help strap him in and hook up. Then it was start up time, the chocks were pulled and the Thunderbolts would taxied out to its asigned position for take off. Then, they were gone! Now it was time to sit around and sweat it out. |
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