44th Fighter Squadron ![]() | |
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![]() Four F-15C Eagles in formation off the coast of Japan | |
Active | 1941–2023 (Inactive due to no aircraft) |
Country | ![]() |
Branch | ![]() |
Role | Fighter |
Part of | Pacific Air Forces |
Garrison/HQ | Kadena Air Base |
Nickname(s) | Vampires[ citation needed ] |
Engagements | Southwest Pacific Theater Vietnam War Global War on Terrorism |
Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm [1] |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | Robert Westbrook Carrol Chandler Ryan Corrigan |
Insignia | |
44th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 18 February 1942) [1] | ![]() |
The 44th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the United States Air Force, part of the 18th Wing at Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. [2] The 44th Pursuit Squadron was activated on 1 January 1941 and assigned to the 18th Pursuit Group. [2] The 44th Fighter Squadron was equipped with the F-15C/D Eagle, and is planned to transition to the F-15EX Eagle II in 2026. [3]
The 44 FS operated the F-15C Eagle aircraft conducting air superiority missions. [2]
The 44th Flew patrols over the Pacific from Hawaii from 7 December 1941 – October 1942. It went on to fly combat missions in the South and Southwest Pacific from 21 December 1942 – 15 August 1945. [1]
It again flew combat missions in Southeast Asia from 18 December 1964 – 25 February 1965, 21 April – 22 June 1965, 19 – 29 October 1965, and 25 April 1967 – 6 October 1970. [1]
The squadron was unmanned from 31 December 1966 – 24 April 1967 and November 1970–15 May 1971.
It has flown air defense over Okinawa and Japan since 1971. [1]
On 17 January 2006 an F-15C of the squadron crashed into the Pacific Ocean near Okinawa. The pilot ejected and was rescued by an HH-60 of the 33d Rescue Squadron. [4] [5] [6]
The 44th Fighter Squadron was named as the winner of the Raytheon Trophy for 2012. [7]
From 3–30 September 1955, 44th Fighter-Bomber Squadron Deployed to Taoyuan Air Base, Taiwan with F-86 Sabre, returning again in 1962-1963 in support of “BLUE SKY” military exercise in Kung Kuan Air Base, Taiwan, equipped F-100 Super Sabre.
The 44th Tactical Fighter Squadron was deployed to Ching Chuan Kang Air Base in Taichung from 6 November 1972 to 10 April 1975, using F-4 Phantom II to assist Taiwan’s air defense.
Air Combat Command officials announced a stand down and reallocation of flying hours for the rest of the fiscal year 2013 due to mandatory budget cuts. The across-the board spending cuts, called sequestration, took effect 1 March when Congress failed to agree on a deficit-reduction plan. [8]
Squadrons either stood down on a rotating basis or kept combat ready or at a reduced readiness level called "basic mission capable" for part or all of the remaining months in fiscal 2013. [8] This affected the 44th Fighter Squadron with a reduction of its flying hours, placing it into a basic mission capable status from 5 April-30 September 2013. [8]
On 28 May 2013 an F-15C of the squadron crashed into the ocean off Okinawa. The pilot ejected and was rescued by the Air Rescue Wing Naha Detachment of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. [9] [10] [11]
On 11 June 2018 the pilot of another F-15C from the squadron ejected over the sea off Okinawa. This pilot was also rescued by the Air Rescue Wing Naha Detachment of the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. [12] [13]
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This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency