511th Tactical Fighter Squadron

Pacific Air Forces

Reactivated in 1952 as a Tactical Air Command squadron under Ninth Air Force. Equipped with F-84 Thunderstreaks, later upgrading to F-100 Super Sabres in 1956. When its home station (Godman AFB, Kentucky) was closed due to budget reductions in 1959, was reassigned to Pacific Air Forces in the Philippines. Re-equipped with F-86D Sabre interceptors, and provided air defense for that island nation in the early 1960s. Re-equipped with modern F-102 Delta Dagger interceptors in late 1960. As the Vietnam War intensified, deployed flights to both Thailand and South Vietnam throughout the 1960s, providing air defense of Bangkok and Saigon as well as other areas from enemy aircraft. Inactivated in 1970 with the phaseout of the F-102 as well as the general drawdown of United States forces in Indochina.

United States Air Forces in Europe

Reactivated in 1980 as an A-10 Thunderbolt II Tactical Fighter Squadron at RAF Bentwaters, England under USAFE Third Air Force. Flew tactical fighter training missions throughout the 1980s from the United Kingdom as well as a forward location at Sembach Air Base, West Germany.

Reassigned to the 10th Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Alconbury in 1988 in a USAFE dispersal of the 4-squadron host at Bentwaters. Subsequent forward operating locations included RAF Ahlhorn and Leipheim Air Base, Germany.

Deployed to Saudi Arabia, December 1990 as part of USAF buildup of forces after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Was one of the initially deployed USAF units as part of Operation Desert Shield, providing defense of Saudi Arabia. Engaged in combat operations, January–February 1991 effectively destroying large numbers of Iraqi tanks and other armor as part of Operation Desert Storm. One 511th pilot was responsible for an extremely rare air-to-air kill of a Mil Mi-8 "Hip" helicopter (one of only two air-to-air A-10 kills of the war). Aircraft contributed significantly to destruction of hundreds of enemy vehicles and many of their occupants on Highway 80, 26–27 February 1991, directly leading to President George H. W. Bush's decision to declare a cessation of hostilities on the next day.

Returned to England in June 1991, however squadron was almost immediately drawn down as part of previously planned inactivation as a result of the end of the Cold War and a general reduction of USAFE forces afterward. Inactivated at the end of 1992.

Lineage

• Constituted 626th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) on 4 Feb 1943

Activated on 1 Mar 1943

Re-designated: 511th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on lo Aug 1943

Re-designated: 511th Fighter Squadron on 30 May 1944

Inactivated on 15 Oct 1945

• Re-designated 511th Fighter-Bomber Squadron on 15 Oct 1952

Activated on 1 Dec 1952

Inactivated on Jul 1958

• Re-designated 511th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron on 11 Mar 1959

Activated on 9 Apr 1959

Personnel and equipment re-designated 353d Tactical Fighter Squadron on 24 July 1970, inactivated same date.

• Re designated 511th Tactical Fighter Squadron on 1 Jan 1980 and activated

Inactivated on 30 Dec 1992

Assignments

• 405th Bombardment (later Fighter-Bomber; Fighter) Group, i Mar 1943-15 Oct 1945
• 405th Fighter-Bomber Group, 1 Dec 1952
• 405th Fighter-Bomber Wing, 8 Oct 1957 – 1 Jul 1958
• 405th Fighter Wing, 9 Apr 1959 – 24 July 1970
• 81st Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Jan 1980
• 10th Tactical Fighter Wing, 1 Sep 1988 – 30 Dec 1992

Squadron attached to 354th Tactical Fighter Wing (Provisional), 15 Aug 1990 – 25 Mar 1991

Stations