561 Fighter Squadron

The 561st Fighter Squadron was first activated in December 1942 as part of the 388th Fighter Group, training with P-47 Thunderbolts before deploying to the European Theater during World War II. The squadron participated in numerous combat missions, including bomber escort, ground attack, and air superiority operations, playing a significant role in the Allied air campaign over France and Germany. After the war, the unit was inactivated but later reactivated during the Cold War era, flying jet aircraft such as the F-4 Phantom II and F-16 Fighting Falcon in various tactical fighter roles. The 561st distinguished itself through its adaptability and combat effectiveness before its final inactivation in the 1990s.