60th FIS

• Origins in World War II: The 60th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron (FIS) was originally activated during World War II as the 60th Pursuit Squadron (Interceptor) on January 15, 1941, at Mitchel Field, New York. • Role in the Aleutian Campaign: The squadron saw significant action during the Aleutian Islands Campaign, defending Alaska from potential Japanese attacks and operating from remote bases in extreme weather. • Aircraft Evolution: Over its history, the 60th FIS operated a wide variety of aircraft, including the P-39 Airacobra, P-40 Warhawk, P-38 Lightning, F-86 Sabre, F-94 Starfire, F-102 Delta Dagger, and F-106 Delta Dart. • Cold War Interceptor Mission: During the Cold War, the squadron’s primary mission was air defense, intercepting and identifying unknown aircraft approaching U.S. airspace, particularly against the threat of Soviet bombers. • Stationed at Otis AFB: The 60th FIS was most famously based at Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts, where it played a key role in protecting the northeastern United States. • “The Fighting Crows” Nickname: The squadron was known as “The Fighting Crows,” with a distinctive unit insignia featuring a black crow gripping lightning bolts. • Notable Alert Scrambles: The squadron frequently scrambled to intercept unidentified aircraft, including several tense incidents during the height of the Cold War where Soviet bombers approached U.S. airspace. • Transition to Supersonic Fighters: In 1959, the 60th FIS became one of the first squadrons equipped with the supersonic Convair F-106 Delta Dart, a mainstay of U.S. air defense for decades. • Deactivation and Legacy: The 60th FIS was inactivated on April 30, 1971, as part of a consolidation of air defense forces, but its legacy continues through historical commemorations and veteran organizations. • Pop Culture Appearance: F-106 aircraft from the 60th FIS appeared in several films and documentaries about Cold War air defense, highlighting the unit’s important role in American military history.