Here is a tribute to Captain Georges GUYNEMER who was killed in action on September 11th, 1917. Three months earlier, he fought with Ernst Udet, the ace who came up 2nd after the Red Baron. You can watch hereafter how this dogfight reportedly happened, and how these fighter pilots had the gut to keep honor above all:
Georges Guynemer by « Lucien » – Jebulon https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Jebulon
Remember Guynemer’s mottos:
FAIRE FACE (face up to it) was then adopted by the French Air Force Academy (FAFA) as their motto. A few words that well expresse the French pilots’ bravery.
WWI French ace Georges Guynemer used to say:
« Il y a une limite à toute chose, et il faut toujours la dépasser. »
‘Everything has a limit which has always got to be surpassed.’
« Lorsque l’on n’a pas tout donné, on n’a rien donné. »
‘As long as you have not given your all, you have given nothing.’
Loyal to these principles, the French ace took part in several hundreds of aerial combats, crediting 53 victories, maybe 88 victories because the French victory validation system was demanding. He was shot down seven times, and he was admired for he always survived, but that September 11, a hundred years ago. The hero took off once again, dashed to the frontlines, outnumbered by German warplanes in a last dogfighting over Belgium. Then, he fell. Since then, the French Air Force aviators have worn a black tie in sign of mourning.
ALPHAJET SOLO DISPLAY 2017 avec l’effigie de Maxime LENOIR
Ils seront à Limoges ces samedi et dimanche, 8 et 9 juillet 2017. Et de belle manière! C’est l’équipe de la nouvelle présentation acrobatique Alphajet Solo Display qui a plaidé en faveur de l’as tourangeau. Maxime Lenoir, le virtuose du looping en 1914 sur Blériot XI, le meilleur as de la bataille de Verdun sur son Nieuport « MAX » puis son SPAD VII « Trompe la Mort »! Alors que les combats font rage, il est porté disparu le lendemain de la reprise de Fort Douaumont, au nord de Verdun, le 25 octobre 1916. Il est ensuite oublié pendant presque un siècle.
Carte postale à la gloire de Maxime Lenoir en 1916 (il n’est pas né à Paris mais à Chargé, près d’Amboise en Indre-et-Loire)
Dérive Alphajet Solo Display 2017 avec MAX de Maxime Lenoir
Maxime Lenoir aurait pu rester au fond des oubliettes. Heureusement que le journaliste et auteur Didier Lecoq retrouva la trace de ce virtuose de l’air il y a quelques années. Il parvient à le faire reconnaître au niveau national puisque Maxime Lenoir est retenu pour être mis à l’honneur le 19 septembre 2014. Il est cité comme le héros de l’Indre-et-Loire dans l’opération 100 villes, 100 héros, 100 drapeaux. L’as tourangeau est ensuite célébré dans son village natal de Chargé dans l’Indre-et-Loire à l’occasion de la commémoration de l’armistice le 11 novembre 2016 et du centenaire de sa disparition. Une plaque est apposée à l’entrée de l’école à côté de la mairie. Le même jour, elle est baptisée « École Maxime Lenoir ». Il serait trop long d’énumérer ici les prouesses de l’aviateur civil puis militaire qu’était Maxime Lenoir. Vous trouverez plus d’informations ici: aeroplanedetouraine.fr et là: airforces.fr et notamment dans la deuxième partie du livre Une autre histoire de l’aviation.
Revoir MAX en bleu-blanc-rouge sur un avion était encore impensable il y a quelques mois. De même il était impensable de revoir la présentation acrobatique Alphajet Solo Display, stationnée à l’École de l’Aviation de Chasse de Tours. Ses deux futurs pilotes « Filou » et « Jim », comme par hasard, font partie du trio qui survole Chargé en hommage à l’enfant du pays qui était aussi l’as de Verdun au plus fort de la bataille. Peu de temps après, ils s’entraînent durement avec l’aide de leur coach « Zippo », un ancien pilote de la Patrouille de France, pour peaufiner des numéros aussi audacieux que les loopings de Maxime Lenoir sur son Blériot XI « Backjumper ». Maxime aurait sans doute aimé voir cela, lui qui sauvait la vie de ses camarades en osant des parades acrobatiques au milieu des Fokker en chasse, sur son Nieuport « MAX » et en Caudron et SPAD « Trompe la Mort ». Les mécaniciens ont accompli un travail d’orfèvre en peignant les motifs à tribord de l’escadrille SPA 85 « La folie » dont c’est le centenaire cette année. On reconnaît Eugene Bullard, le boxeur et pilote de chasse de l’escadrille Lafayette, qui a fait l’objet de recherches méticuleuses de Robert Pezzani car ce pilote américain de couleur (rares à l’époque) volait à centre américain de formation au pilotage à Tours, sur l’actuelle base de Parçay-Meslay. C’est à bâbord qu’on distingue clairement la silhouette du buste de Maxime Lenoir avec un magnifique MAX en bleu-blanc-rouge comme autrefois. Jim a disposé les éléments et même redessiné l’inscription « Ajt Lenoir » sur le modèle des peintures sur fond bleu qu’on peut voir sur les fuselages de la Patrouille de France. Celle de l’Alphajet E42 du Solo Display est particulièrement réussie car elle est sur fond blanc. Ceux qui ont eu la chance de l’approcher peuvent témoigner de la beauté de l’ensemble.
De même que MAX repart pour des séries de boucles et de vrilles, l’Alphajet Solo Display renaît de ses cendres. Les deux pilotes tourangeaux on commencé leurs représentations en France et en Espagne (à Léon). Ils ont survolé les 24 Heures du Mans le 17 juin. D’après ce qui est prévu, pour l’instant, ils seront à l’affiche aux meetings aériens énumérés en fin de page.
Dérive Alphajet Solo Display 2017 avec l’escadrille SPA85 La Folie et Eugene Bullard
La performance physique, le travail et l’expérience ont produit une performance très appréciée des spectateurs qui reconnaissent volontiers que ce spectacle vaut le détour.
Tours French Air Force Base celebrated its centenary this year on Sunday, the 7th of June as the air base was born in late 1915, fielded with the aviation school on Caudron G3. MF33 Flight (1/33 Belfort) was born in Tours in October 1914 but there is no evidence that it was stationed at Parçay-Meslay airfield.
The airshow gathered lots of aviation professionals as well as recreational aviation booths. About 56,000 people attended the event – a bit more than expected. The Belgian F-16 solo display, the Moroccan Marche Verte, the Red Arrows, the Patrouille de France, then the Rafale were the highlights of the beautiful day. The Swiss Army Super Puma helicopter performed an outstanding display, and a P-51 D Mustang and a Spitfire delighted WW2 fighter aircraft enthusiasts. Other flypasts performed by two Dassault Flamant MD.311, de Havilland Vampire and Mosquito made the attendees dream.
The visitors could also admire numerous aircraft in the static display area: RSAF and Luftwaffe Eurofighter Typhoons, a curious Piaggio 149 as its roundel comes from the UPDAF – Uganda Peoples Defense Air Force, a Caudron C.800 glider which looked like the C.25S that were used in the movie « Don’t look now… We’re being shot at! » (La grande vadrouille) flown by famous French actors Bourvil and Louis de Funès. A nice RSAF (Republic of Singapore Air Force) Aermacchi M-346, a Dewoitine 501 which used to be stationed at Tours air base, a few WW2 Piper Cub, Dassault Mirage 2000-D, Mirage 2000-5, Rafale, and last but not least 2 A-10 Warthogs, and many more aircraft.
With the nice weather, cool northbound winds, and the smooth organisation, the event turned out to be a great success.
Mirage F1CR Upside down – ER 02/033 « Savoy », SAL 6 « Rhine Gull » – Recce from 1912 till 2012
The French Air Force 2/33 « Savoie » Reconnaissance Squadron celebrated its centenary on June 22, 2012.
The centennial was presided over by General de Rousiers, a former 2/33 pilot in the 1980s, who is now the permanent Chairman of the European Union Military Committee (CEUMC).
This ceremony was held at BA 118 FAF Station in Mont de Marsan, in the southwest of France. It was more particularly dedicated to its oldest flight (escadrille in French) – SAL 6, which means Salmson aircraft, and 6 as the sixth flight created in the French Army Aviation.
This creation occurred in December 1912, but traces of its previous existence might be found as early as September 1912, and maybe earlier. I will keep you posted if necessary.
The centennial had begun earlier on Friday 22nd of June in the morning with the presentation of the Rhine Gull insignia to the new SAL 6 Flight members.
Some of the senior members invited – all veterans – could see that their traditions were kept up at a high level as the candidates had to go through various « ordeals » to deserve their brand new badges.
The SAL 6 flight’s emblem consists of a white bird, a Rhine gull clad with a blue circle as shown hereafter:
ER 2/33 Savoie Recce Squadron, SAL 6 « Rhine Gull » Emblem
ER 2/33 Savoie, SAL 6 « Rhine Gull » Emblem
It is assumed that the origins of the SAL 6 flight emblem date back to 1920.
Mirage F1CR and previous ER 2/33 SAL 6 aircraft
Mirage F1CR starboard and previous ER 2/33 SAL 6 aircraft
SAL 6 was disbanded for almost a year in Germany from April 10, 1919.
The flight was created anew in Germany into the 16th flight of the 33rd Aerial Observation Regiment (33eme RAO). That new flight would have kept the SAL 6, C 6, and D6 traditions since the calling SAL 6 remained along with 16th flight (16ème escadrille) for that decade. However, it would have had a new batch of pilots, mechanics, and aircraft.
Mirage F1CR – Recce Squadron ER 02/033 « Savoy », Flight SAL 6 « Rhine gull » – 100th anniversary
Among those aircraft, there would have been a SAL 70 flight aircraft – a Salmson 2A2 – on which the SAL 70 emblem was painted. It was a white gull with a blue disk on its background.
There were many Rhine gulls flying around where SAL 6 stationed from 1920 until 1930 (Gossenheim; Krefeld; and Bochum), and blue was the color of reconnaissance.
As SAL 6 had to remain in the Rhineland area, and its main mission consisted in performing reconnaissance missions, that SAL 70 Salmson aircraft turned out to be a timely addition.
It was therefore decided to take the SAL 70 symbol to be slightly changed into a Rhine gull surrounded by a blue circle.
In the early years, the first SAL6 Flight marking would have looked like this one below, and it may have featured an Egyptian Eagle:
Original D6, C6, and SAL6 Aircraft Marking
Mirage F1CR above clouds – ER 02/033 « Savoie », SAL 6 « Mouette du Rhin » – « 100 ans de Reco » !
Mirage F1CR fin – 02033 SAVOIE Recce Sqn
General Charles de Gaule, who was in exile in the United Kingdom, named Colonel Valin as Commander-in-Chief of the Free French Air Force (FAFL – Forces Aériennes Françaises Libres) during the Second World War.
The aviator made a decision of giving its squadrons a French region name for each of them in order to address a strong message to the Vichy regime which collaborated with Hitler, and the Axis powers.
As a consequence, the Reconnaissance Group GR 2/33 was named Savoie on the 3rd of November 1943, and it has kept this name so far.
This is why you can see the Savoy’s flag on various SAL 6 aircraft. ER 2/33 was stationed near Strasbourg between 1960 and 1994. This is why the Savoy’s red flag covered with the white Saint John’s Cross (Croix de St Jean) was painted on a huge concrete slab, on a patch of lawn, in the middle of the squadron area, close to the 2/33 photo hangar at Strasbourg-EntzheimFAF Station. This is why this flag has been billowing above the new squadron facilities since early 2012. This is also why an official twinning was organized between this squadron, and the General Council of Savoie.
As I started to look up through various sources on squadrons & flights history, it turned out that SAL 6 Rhine Gull Flight is a very old unit. Probably one of the oldest in the world.
According to the chart here below, ER 02033 Savoie, and more particularly SAL 6 Rhine Gull would be the third oldest reconnaissance squadron or flight in the world as of late 2012:
Rank.
NAME
From
ROLE
SQUADRON
(December 2012)
COUNTRY
Current station
1 ?
SAL 1
Mar 29
1912
Electronic Warfare
Flight
EEA 54 Dunkerque
FRANCE,
Evreux
2 ?
No 1
?
1878
Balloon Company
No 1 RAF
UK, Cottesmore
(N°1 RAF
should reform
in late 2012)
May 13
1912
Royal Flying Corps
Aug ?
1914
Heavier than air
Reconnaissance &
Fighter Squadron
3 ?
No 2
May 13
1912
Reconnaissance Sqn
No 2 RAF
UK, Marham
3 ?
No 3
May 13
Fighter Squadron
No 3 RAF
UK, Coningsby
5
SPA 3
Jun ?
Fighter Flight
(Guynemer’s flight)
EC 1/2 Cigognes
FRANCE, Dijon
6
BR 104
Jul ?
Transport Flight
ET 2/61
Franche Comte
FRANCE,
Orleans
7 ?
No 4
Aug ?
1912
Fighter Training Sqn
No 4 RAF
UK, Wittering
7 ?
SPA 15
Aug 22
Fighter Flight
EC 1/7 Provence
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
9 ?
SAL 6
Dec ?
1912
Reconnaissance Flight
ER 2/33 Savoie
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
9 ?
SAL 8
Dec 10
Transport Flight
ETL 1/62 Vercors
FRANCE, Creil
11 ?
BR 11
Feb ?
1913
Reconnaissance Flight
ER 2/33 Savoie
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
11?
SAL 14
?
1913
Transport Flight
ET 1/64 Bearn
FRANCE,
Evreux
13 ?
SPA 103
Feb 16
Fighter Flight
EC 1/2 Cigognes
FRANCE, Dijon
13 ?
SAL 17
Feb 16
Helicopter Flight
EH 1/67 Pyrenees
FRANCE,
Cazaux
15 ?
1 RS
Mar 5
Reconnaissance Sqn
1 RS
USA, Beale,
California
16 ?
CFS
Mar ?
Training Unit
CFS
AUSTRALIA,
East Sale
17 ?
1 Sqn
Apr 16
1913
Fighter Flight
2 Wing Tactique
BELGIUM,
Florennes
18 ?
SAL 18
?
Transport Flight
ET 1/64 Bearn
FRANCE,
Evreux
18 ?
SAL 19
May ?
Transport Flight
ET 2/61
Franche Comte
FRANCE,
Orleans
18 ?
VB 101
?
Transport Flight
ET 1/61 Touraine
FRANCE,
Orleans
21 ?
No 5
Jul 26
Reconnaissance Sqn
No 5 RAF
UK, Waddington
22 ?
SPA BI 20
or MF 20
Dec ?
1913
Electronic Warfare
Flight
EEA 54 Dunkerque
FRANCE,
Evreux
23
No 6
Jan 31
1914
Fighter Squadron
No 6 RAF
UK, Leuchars
24
No 7
May 1
1914
Fighter Squadron
No 7 RAF
UK, Odiham
25 ?
SAL 22
Jun 6
Air Refuelling Flight
GRV 93 Bretagne
FRANCE, Istres
26 ?
SPA 69
Jun ?
Fighter Flight
EC 3/11 Corse
FRANCE,
Republic of
Djibouti
27
SPA 26
Aug 26
Fighter Flight
EC 1/2 Cigognes
FRANCE, Dijon
28
SAL 28
Sep 1
Fighter Flight
EC 1/91 Gascogne
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
28
No 203
Sep 1
1914
Helicopter OCU
No 203 RAF
UK, Valley
30
SPA 31
Sep 24
Fighter Training Flight
ETD 2/7 Argonne
FRANCE,
Nancy
31
SAL 33
Oct 2
Reconnaissance Flight
ED 1/33 Belfort
Drone Squadron
FRANCE,
Cognac
32
No 202
Oct 17
SAR Squadron
No 202 RAF
UK, Valley
33
SPA 102
Nov 16
Fighter Flight
EC 2/3 Champagne
FRANCE,
Nancy
34
No 9
Dec 8
1914
Fighter Squadron
No 9 RAF
UK, Marham
35
No 8
Jan 1
1915
AEW Squadron
No 8 RAF
UK, Waddington
36
SPA 38
Jan 8
1915
Fighter Flight
EC 3/30 Lorraine
FRANCE,
Al Dhafra, UAE
37
No 13
Jan 10
Fighter Squadron
No 13 RAF
UK, Marham
38 ?
No 17
Feb 1
Fighter Squadron
No 17 RAF
UK, Coningsby
39 ?
No 14
Feb 3
ISTAR Squadron
No 14 RAF
UK, Waddington
40 ?
No 11
Feb 14
1915
Fighter Squadron
No 11 RAF
UK, Coningsby
40 ?
No 12
Feb 14
Fighter Squadron
No 12 RAF
UK, Lossiemouth
42 ?
SPA 99
Feb ?
Helicopter Flight
EH 3/67 Parisis
FRANCE,
Villacoublay
43 ?
No 15
Mar 1
Fighter Squadron
No 15 RAF
UK, Lossiemouth
44 ?
SPA BI 55
Mar 3
Transport Flight
ETL 1/62 Vercors
FRANCE, Creil
45 ?
SPA 88
Mar ?
1915
Fighter Flight
EC 3/11 Corse
FRANCE,
Republic of
Djibouti
45 ?
SPA 97
Mar ?
Fighter Flight
EC 2/30
Normandie-Niemen
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
47 ?
No 30
Mar 24
Transport Squadron
No 30 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
48 ?
SPA 48
Mar 29
Fighter Training Flight
ETD 2/7 Argonne
FRANCE,
Nancy
49 ?
BR 44
Apr 4
Fighter Flight
EC 3/3 Ardennes
FRANCE,
Nancy
50 ?
BR 113
Apr ?
1915
Transport Flight
ET 1/61 Touraine
FRANCE,
Orleans
51 ?
102 RQS
?
1908
Balloon Company
1st Aero Company
USA,
Westhampton
Beach, New York
May ?
1915
Heavier than air
Rescue Sqn
102nd Rescue Sqn
51 ?
SPA 95
May 1
1915
Fighter Flight
EC 1/3 Navarre
FRANCE,
Nancy
53 ?
C 53 or
SPA BI 53
May 2
1915
Reconnaissance Flight
ER 2/33 Savoie
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
53 ?
SAL 56
May 2
Fighter Flight
EC 3/30 Lorraine
FRANCE,
Al Dhafra, UAE
55 ?
SPA BI 54
May 7
Air Refuelling Flight
GRV 93 Bretagne
FRANCE, Istres
56 ?
SPA 57
May 11
Fighter Training Flight
EE 5/2 Cote d’or
FRANCE, Dijon
56 ?
No 18
May 11
SAR Squadron
No 18 RAF
UK, Odiham
58 ?
2 ARS
May 12
Air Refuelling Sqn
2 ARS
USA, McGuire
-Dix-Lakehurst,
New Jersey
59 ?
SAL 58
May 20
1915
AEW Flight
36th EDCA
FRANCE,
Avord
60
SPA 96
Jun 1
Fighter Flight
EC 2/4 La Fayette
FRANCE, Istres
61
SPA 93
Jul/Sep?
Fighter Flight
EC 2/30
Normandie-Niemen
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
62
SPA 65
Aug 2
Fighter Training Flight
EE 5/2 Cote d’or
FRANCE, Dijon
63
SPA 62
Aug 11
Apr 25?
Fighter Flight
EC 1/3 Navarre
FRANCE,
Nancy
64 ?
No 22
Sep 1
1915
SAR Squadron
No 22 RAF
UK, Valley
65 ?
SPA 67
Sep 17
Fighter Flight
EC 2/3 Champagne
FRANCE,
Nancy
66 ?
F 118
Sep ?
Transport Flight
ET 3/61 Poitou
FRANCE,
Orleans
66 ?
F 119
Sep ?
Transport Flight
ET 3/61 Poitou
FRANCE,
Orleans
68
No 24
Sep 21
Transport Squadron
No 24 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
69
No 31
Oct 11
1915
Fighter Squadron
No 31 RAF
UK, Marham
70
SPA 91
Oct 13
Fighter Flight
EC 2/30
Normandie-Niemen
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
71
BR 66
Oct 24
Fighter Flight
EC 1/91 Gascogne
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
72
No 27
Sep 21
Helicopter Squadron
No 27 RAF
UK, Odiham
73
No 28
Nov 7
Helicopter Squadron
No 28 RAF
UK, Benson
73
No 29
Nov 7
1915
OCU
No 29 RAF
UK, Coningsby
75
No 1 (AFC)
Jan 1
1916
Fighter Squadron
No 1 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Amberley
76
No 32
Jan 12
VIP Transport Sqn
« The Royal Squadron »
No 32 RAF
UK, Northolt
76
No 33
Jan 12
Helicopter Squadron
No 33 RAF
UK, Benson
78
BR 228
Feb 1
Electronic Warfare
Flight
EEA 54 Dunkerque
FRANCE,
Evreux
79
BR 216
Feb 16
1916
Transport Flight
ETOM 82 Maine
France, Tahiti
80
No 45
Mar 1
Training Squadron
No 45 RAF
UK, Cranwell
80
No 47
Mar 1
Transport Flight
No 47 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
82
N 124
Apr 9
Fighter Flight
EC 2/4
La Fayette Escadrille
U.S. 103rd Aero Sqn
FRANCE, Istres
83
No 39
Apr 15
1916
Drone Squadron
No 39 RAF
UK,
Creech, USA
84
SPA 73
Apr 19
Fighter Training Flight
ETO 2 Nice
FRANCE,
Cazaux
85
No 55
Apr 27
Training Squadron
No 55 RAF
UK, Cranwell
86
No 60
Apr 30
Helicopter Training Sqn
No 60 RAF
UK, Shawbury
87
No 54
May 5
1916
ISR Sqn & OCU
No 54 RAF
UK, Waddington
88
No 51
May 15
SIGINT Squadron
No 51 RAF
UK, Waddington
89
No 56
Jun 8
OEU
No 56 RAF
UK, Waddington
90
SPA 75
Jul 13
Fighter Flight
EC 2/3 Champagne
FRANCE,
Nancy
91
No 41
Jul 14
1916
Test & Evaluation Sqn
No 41 RAF
UK, Coningsby
92
Jasta 2
Aug 10
Fighter Squadron
Jagdstaffel 2
(Red Baron Sqn)
GERMAN Empire
Bertincourt, France
93
Jasta 4
Aug 25
Fighter Squadron
Jagdstaffel 4
(Ernst Udet Sqn)
GERMAN Empire
Vaux, France
94 ?
No 2 (AFC)
Sep ?
AEW Squadron
No 2 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Williamtown
95 ?
SPA 77
Sep 19
1916
Fighter Flight
EC 1/7 Provence
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
95 ?
No 3 (AFC)
Sep 19
Fighter Squadron
No 3 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Williamtown
97 ?
Jasta 11
Sep 28
Fighter Squadron
Jagdstaffel 11
« Flying Circus »
(Red Baron Sqn)
GERMAN Empire
Douai, France
98
No 4 (AFC)
Oct 16
FACDU Squadron
No 4 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Williamtown
99
No 208
Oct 26
1916
Fighter Training Sqn
No 208 RAF
UK, Valley
100
3 FTS
Nov 1
Fighter Training Sqn
3 FTS
USA, Vance
100
No 78
Nov 1
Helicopter Squadron
No 78 RAF
UK, Benson
102
SPA 79
Nov 21
Fighter Flight
EC 1/91 Gascogne
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
103
SPA 78
Dec 12
Fighter Training Flight
ETO 2 Nice
FRANCE,
Cazaux
104
SPA 81
Dec 26
1916
Fighter Flight
EC 2/4 La Fayette
FRANCE, Istres
105
No 84
Jan 7
1917
SAR Squadron
No 84 RAF
UK,
Akrotiri, Cyprus
106
No 100
Feb 23
1917
Fighter Training Sqn
No 100 RAF
UK, Leeming
107
BR 131
Jun 2
Transport Flight
ET 2/64 Anjou
FRANCE,
Evreux
107
12 RS
Jun 2
Reconnaissance Sqn
12th Recce Sqn
USA, Beale,
California
109
119 FS
Jun 5
Fighter Squadron
119th Fighter Sqn
USA,
Atlantic City,
New Jersey
110
34 BS
Jun 11
Bomb Squadron
34th Bomb Squadron
USA, Ellsworth
111
35 FS
Jun 12
1917
Fighter Squadron
35th Fighter Squadron
USA,
Kunsan, S. Korea
111
36 FS
Jun 12
Fighter Squadron
36th Fighter Squadron
USA,
Osan, S. Korea
113
9 BS
Jun 14
Bomb Squadron
9th Bomb Squadron
USA, Dyess
114
No 6 (AFC)
Jun 15
Fighter Training Sqn
No 6 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Amberley
114
27 FS
Jun 15
Fighter Squadron
27th Fighter Squadron
« Fighting Eagles »
USA, Langley,
Virginia
116 ?
BR 132
Jun ?
1917
Transport Flight
ET 2/64 Anjou
FRANCE,
Evreux
117
23 BS
Jun 16
Bomb Squadron
23rd Bomb Sqn
USA, Minot,
North Dakota
118
JG 1
Jun 24
Fighter Sqn/Group
Jagdgeschwader 1
(Red Baron Sqn)
GERMAN Empire
Douai (France)
119
11 BS
Jun 26
Bomb Squadron
11th Bomb Sqn
USA, Barksdale,
Louisiana
119
20 BS
Jun 26
Bomb Squadron
20th Bomb Sqn
USA, Barksdale,
Louisiana
121
No 72
Jun 28
1917
Training Squadron
No 72 RAF
UK,
Linton-on-Ouse
122
No 101
Jul 12
Air Refuelling Sqn
No 101 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
123
SPA 153
Jul 1
Fighter Flight
EC 1/3 Navarre
FRANCE,
Nancy
124
SPA 152
Jul 9
Helicopter Flight
EHOM 68 Guyane
FRANCE,
French Guyana,
Rochambeau
124
SPA 162
Jul 9
1917
Fighter Flight
EC 1/7 Provence
FRANCE,
Saint Dizier
Jan 28
1918
126
55 FS
Aug 9
1917
Fighter Squadron
55th Fighter Squadron
USA, Shaw,
South Carolina
127
77 AS
Aug 13
1917
77 Aero Service Sqn,
predecessor to the current 77 FS
+ 2 Other Squadrons
Now 489th RS
Reconnaissance Sqn
& 77th Fighter Sqn
(Former Squadron A)
USA, Beale,
California
& USA, Shaw,
South Carolina
Feb 20
1918
128
110 BS
Aug 14
1917
Bomb Squadron
110th Bomb Squadron
USA, Whiteman,
Missouri
129
No 99
Aug 15
1917
Transport Squadron
No 99 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
130
112 FS
Aug 18
Fighter Squadron
112th Fighter Sqn
USA,
Toledo, Ohio
131
94 FS
Aug 20
Fighter Squadron
94th Fighter Squadron
« Hat in the Ring »
USA, Langley,
Virginia
132
96 BS
Bomb Squadron
96th Bomb Squadron
USA, Barksdale,
Louisiana
133
93 BS
Aug 21
1917
Bomb Squadron
93rd Bomb Squadron
USA, Barksdale,
Louisiana
134
99 RS
Reconnaissance Sqn
99th Recce Squadron
USA, Beale,
California
135
120 FS
Aug 28
Fighter Squadron
120th Fighter Sqn
« Colorado Cougars »
USA,
Buckley AFB,
Aurora, Colorado
136
No 216
Oct 5
Air Refuelling Sqn
No 216 RAF
UK, Brize Norton
137
SAL 253
Nov 18?
1917
AEW Flight
36th EDCA
FRANCE,
Avord
138
BR 257
Jan 1
1918
AEW Flight
36th EDCA
FRANCE,
Avord
Apr 8
1915?
139
79 FS
Feb 22
1918
Fighter Squadron
79th Fighter Squadron
« Tigers »
USA, Shaw,
South Carolina
140
BR 237
Mar 16
1918
Transport Flight
ETOM 82 Maine
FRANCE, Tahiti
Feb 17
1916?
141
SPA 163
Apr 4
1918
Fighter &
Experimentation Flight
EC 5/330
Cote d’argent
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
May 6
142
No 230
Aug 20
1918
Helicopter Squadron
No 230 RAF
UK, Benson
143
SPA 167
Aug 22
1918
Fighter Flight
EC 2/4 La Fayette
FRANCE, Istres
Jan 1 ?
144
SPA 164
Sep 18
1918
Fighter &
Experimentation Flight
EC 5/330
Cote d’argent
FRANCE,
Mont de Marsan
145
VR 291
Nov 5
1918
Reconnaissance Flight
ED 1/33 Belfort
Drone Squadron
FRANCE,
Cognac
Inact.
7. EL
Nov 7
1918
Fighter Flight
7. Eskadra Lotnicza
Kościuszko Sqn
POLAND, Lviv
146
VFA-14
Sep ?
1919
Fighter Squadron
Strike Fighter Sqn 14
« Tophatters »
USA, Lemoore,
California
Inact.
1st KD
May ?
1920
Air Battalion
1st Koku Daitai
JAPANESE
Empire
147
VMFA-232
Sep 1
1925
Marine Fighter Sqn
The « Red Devils »
USA, Miramar,
California
148 ?
No 3
?
1930
Helicopter Squadron
No 3 RNZAF
NEW ZEALAND,
Ohakea
149 ?
VP-46
Jul 1
1931
Patrol Squadron
Patrol Squadron 46
USA,
Whidbey Island
150 ?
CFS
?
1932
Transport Squadron
Central Flying School
SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Langebaanweg
151 ?
No 400
Oct 5
1932
Helicopter Squadron
No 400 RCAF
CANADA,
Borden
No 402
Transport/Training Sqn
No 402 RCAF
CANADA,
Winnipeg
153 ?
No 1 Sqn
Apr 1
1933
Fighter Squadron
No. 1 Squadron
(The Tigers)
INDIA, Gwalior
154 ?
121 FS
?
1930s
Fighter Squadron
121st Fighter Sqn
« Guardians »
USA, Andrews,
Maryland
155 ?
68 AS
?
1936
Air School
68 Air School SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Pretoria
156 ?
2 Sqn
Jan ?
1939
Fighter Squadron
2 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Makhado
157 ?
No 10
Jul 1
1939
Maritime Patrol Sqn
No 10 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Point Cook
158 ?
15 Sqn
Sep 1
1939
Helicopter Squadron
15 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Port Elizabeth
17 Sqn
VIP Transport Sqn
17 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Waterkloof
19 Sqn
Helicopter Squadron
19 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Hoedspruit
161 ?
16 Sqn
Sep 14
1939
Helicopter Squadron
16 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Bloemspruit
162 ?
No 11
Sep 25
Maritime Patrol Sqn
No 11 RAAF
AUSTRALIA,
Edinburgh
163
18 AS
Dec 22
1939
Aggressor Squadron
18th AGRS
USA, Eielson,
Alaska
164
123 FS
Jul 30
1940
Fighter Squadron
123rd Fighter Sqn
« Redhawks »
USA, Portland,
Oregon
165
41 Sqn
Oct 16
1940
Transport Squadron
41 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Waterkloof
166
64 AS
Nov 20
1940
Aggressor Squadron
64th AGRS
USA, Nellis,
Nevada
65 AS
Aggressor Squadron
65th AGRS
USA, Nellis,
Nevada
69 BS
Bomb Squadron
69th Bomb Squadron
USA, Minot,
North Dakota
169
60 Sqn
Dec ?
1940
Transport Squadron
60 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Waterkloof
125 FS
Fighter Squadron
125th Fighter Sqn
« Tulsa Vipers »
USA, Tulsa,
Oklahoma
171
44 FS
Jan 1
1941
Fighter Squadron
44th Fighter Squadron
« Vampires »
USA, Kadena,
Japan
172 ?
960 AACS
Jan 15
1941
AC&C Squradron
960th Airborne Air
Control Squadron
USA, Tinker,
Oklahoma
4 FS
Fighter Squadron
4th Fighter Squadron
« Fightin’ Fuujins »
USA, Hill, Utah
7 FS
Fighter Squadron
7th Fighter Squadron
« Bunyips »
USA, Holloman,
New Mexico
61 FS
Jan 15
1941
Fighter Squadron
61st Fighter Squadron
« Top Dogs »
USA, Luke,
Arizona
62 FS
Fighter Squadron
62nd Fighter Sqn
USA, Luke,
Arizona
63 FS
Fighter Squadron
63rd Fighter Squadron
USA, Luke,
Arizona
64 FS
Fighter Squadron
64th Fighter Squadron
« Fighting Cocks »
USA, Kadena,
Japan
179 ?
No 403
Mar 1
1941
Helicopter OTS
No 403 RCAF
CANADA,
Gagetown
180 ?
No 404
Apr 15
1941
LRP&T Sqn
No 404 RCAF
CANADA,
Greenwood
181 ?
No 405
Apr 23
1941
LRP Sqn
No 405 RCAF
CANADA,
Greenwood
182 ?
No 406
May 5
1941
Maritime OTS
No 406 RCAF
CANADA,
Shearwater
183 ?
21 Sqn
May 8
1941
VIP Transport Sqn
21 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Waterkloof
No 407
LRP Sqn
No 407 RCAF
CANADA,
Comox
185 ?
No 408
Jun 24
1941
Helicopter Squadron
No 408 RCAF
CANADA,
Edmonton
186 ?
No 409
Jun ?
1941
Fighter Squadron
No 409 RCAF
CANADA,
Cold Lake
No 410
Fighter Training Sqn
No 410 RCAF
(« Jetstream » series)
CANADA,
Cold Lake
188 ?
No 412
Jun 30
1941
VIP Transport Sqn
No 412 RCAF
CANADA,
Trenton
189 ?
No 413
Jul ?
1941
Transport/Rescue Sqn
No 413 RCAF
CANADA,
Greenwood
190 ?
No 5
Nov ?
Maritime Patrol Sqn
No 5 RNZAF
NEW ZEALAND,
Republic of Fiji
191 ?
No 417
Nov 27
Helicopter Squadron
No 417 RCAF
CANADA,
Cold Lake
192 ?
No 419
?
1941
Fighter Training Sqn
No 419 RCAF
CANADA,
Cold Lake
193
80 FS
Jan 6
1942
Fighter Squadron
80th Fighter Squadron
« Headhunters / Juvats »
USA,
Misawa, Japan
194
13 FS
Jan 13
1942
Fighter Squadron
13th Fighter Squadron
« The Panther Pack »
USA,
Kunsan, S. Korea
195
81 FS
Jan 15
Fighter Squadron
81st Fighter Squadron
USA,
Spangdahlem, Germany
196
134 FS
Jan 28
Fighter Squadron
134th Fighter Sqn
« The Green
Mountain Boys »
USA,
Burlington,
Vermont
343 BS
Jan 28
Bomb Squadron
343rd Bomb Sqn
USA, Barksdale,
Louisiana
198 ?
No 6
Feb ?
1942
Helicopter Squadron
No 6 RNZAF
NEW ZEALAND,
RNZ Navy
199 ?
100 FS
Feb 19
Fighter Squadron
100th Fighter Sqn
Tuskegee airmen Sqn
USA,
Montgomery,
Alabama
200
No 423
May 18
Helicopter Squadron
No 423 RCAF
CANADA,
Shearwater
201
14 FS
Jun 20
Fighter Squadron
14th Fighter Squadron
« Fightin’ Samurai »
USA,
Misawa, Japan
13 RS
Reconnaissance Sqn
13th Recce Squadron
USA, Beale,
California
203
No 425
Jun 22
Fighter Squadron
No 425 RCAF
CANADA,
Bagotville
204
VMA-214
Jul 1
1942
Fighter Squadron
Marine Attack Sqn
Pappy Boyington’s
« Black Sheep » Sqn
USA, Yuma,
Arizona
22 Sqn
Helicopter Squadron
22 Squadron SAAF
SOUTH AFRICA,
Ysterplaat
206
176 FS
Jul 16
1942
Fighter Squadron
176th Fighter Sqn
« Badger Air Militia »
USA,
Madison,
Wisconsin
207
131 FS
Aug 18
1942
Fighter Squadron
131st Fighter Sqn
« Barnestormers »
USA,
Barnes,
Massachussetts
208
159 FS
Sep 30
1942
Fighter Squadron
159th Fighter Sqn
USA,
Jacksonville,
Florida
209
148 FS
Oct 1
1942
Fighter Squadron
148th Fighter Sqn
« Kickin’ ass »
USA,
Tucson, Arizona
210
No 424
Oct 15
1942
Transport/Rescue Sqn
No 424 RCAF
CANADA,
Trenton
No 426
Transport training Sqn
No 426 RCAF
CANADA,
Trenton
212
No 427
Nov 7
1942
SOAS
No 427 RCAF
CANADA,
Petawawa
213
162 FS
Dec ?
1942
Fighter Squadron
162nd Fighter Sqn
USA,
Springfield-
Beckley, Ohio
214
188 FS
Jan 25
1943
Fighter Squadron
188th Fighter Sqn
« Enchilada Air Force »
« The Tacos »
USA, Kirtland,
Albuquerque,
New Mexico
215
No 617
Mar 21
1943
Fighter Squadron
No 617 RAF
« The Dambusters »
UK, Lossiemouth
216
175 FS
Apr 27
1943
Fighter Squadron
175th Fighter Sqn
« Fightin’ Lobos »
USA,
Sioux Falls,
South Dakota
217
182 FS
May 24
1943
Fighter Squadron
182nd Fighter Sqn
« Lonestar Gunfighters »
USA, Lackland,
San Antonio, Texas
218
186 FS
May 25
Fighter Squadron
186th Fighter Sqn
« Charlie Chickens »
USA, Great Falls,
Montana
219
179 FS
May 26
Fighter Squadron
179th Fighter Sqn
« Bulldogs »
USA,
Duluth, Minnesota
220
No 40
Jun 1
1943
Transport Squadron
No 40 RNZAF
NEW ZEALAND,
Auckland
93 FS
Fighter Squadron
93th Fighter Squadron
« Fighting Makos »
USA,
Homestead,
Florida
222
No 42
Dec ?
1943
VIP Transport Sqn
No 42 RNZAF
NEW ZEALAND,
Whenuapai
223
393 BS
Feb 28
1944
Bomb Squadron
393rd Bomb Sqn
USA, Whiteman,
Missouri
224
21 FS
Oct 15
1944
Fighter Squadron
21st Fighter Squadron
« Gamblers »
USA, Luke,
Arizona
225
157 FS
Feb 9?
Jun 30
1946
Fighter Squadron
157th Fighter Squadron
« Swamp Fox »
USA, McEntire,
South Carolina
226
124 FS
Oct ?
1948
Fighter Squadron
124th Fighter Sqn
« Hawkeyes »
USA,
Des Moines,
Iowa
170 FS
Oct ?
1948
Fighter Squadron
170th Fighter Sqn
« Fighting Illini »
USA,
Springfield,
Illinois
228
337 AS
May 10
1949
Transport Squadron
337th Airlift Squadron
USA, Westover,
Massachussetts
It has been very difficult to sort out these units in such a ranking as historians are still working on the military aviation history. It is hard to consider whether the administrative or material creation is taken into acount in some cases. For some flights or squadrons, you can find the administrative creation date only but you still find traces of pilots and aircraft’s existence of these very flights and squadrons after and even BEFORE the administrative creation!
Some other dates correspond to the day when units became operational. Moreover, mistakes have been pointed out in some books and website sources. It has become – since the beginning of this chart – that such charts should be updated. Last but not least, the Russian military aviation organization doesn’t match the western patterns, and coould not be inserted in these charts. That is to say that these charts cannot be exactly right… Sorry!
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