19th Fighter Squadron

19th Fighter Squadron
F-22A 03-4045 arriving at Hickam Field 2 July 2010
Active	14 June 1917 – 14 April 1919 1 October 1921 – 21 June 1922 1 May 1923 – 12 January 1946 1 April 1982 – 31 December 1993 1 January 1994 - present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter
Part of	Pacific Air Forces 15th Wing
Garrison/HQ	Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
Nickname(s)	"Gamecocks"
Engagements	World War I World War II *Pearl Harbor *Battle of Saipan *Battle of Tinian *Battle of Guam Operation Southern Watch
Decorations	AFOUA
Commanders
Current commander	Lieutenant Colonel Philip "Butcher" Lancaster
Insignia
19th Fighter Squadron emblem

The 19th Fighter Squadron (19 FS) is part of the 15th Wing at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.

The squadron is one of the oldest in the United States Air Force, its origins dating to 14 June 1917, being organized at Kelly Field, Texas. It served overseas in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The squadron saw combat during World War II, and became part of the Tactical Air Command (TAC) during the Cold War.

The 19th FS operates the F-22 Raptor aircraft conducting strategic attack, interdiction, offensive counterair (air-to-surface), suppression of enemy air defenses, as well as offensive and defensive counterair (air-to-air) missions.

Originally established as an Army Flying School Squadron, the 19th was based in Texas, Ohio, and New York for short periods before ending up at Clermont-Ferrand, France, to observe the French company Michelin's airplane manufacture and assembly procedures.

Renamed the 19th Pursuit Squadron, the squadron flew from various locations in the Hawaiian Islands beginning in 1923.

The squadron suffered six casualties as a result of the attack on Pearl Harbor by the Japanese on 7 December 1941, but no fatalities.

The squadron was then stationed aboard the USS Natoma Bay, off Saipan. Upon arriving, the 19th flew night and day missions, strafing and using general purpose bombs and rockets in support of advancing U.S. ground troops. Using homemade napalm bombs made out of napalm, gasoline, and oil placed inside fuel tanks, the 19th helped U.S. forces successfully invade and capture Saipan, Tinian, and Guam islands in only three months. The squadron's mission then changed to long-range bomber escort missions with occasional strike missions to nearby Pagan Island and Iwo Jima. The squadron then relocated to Okinawa, where the first 19 FS pilots were awarded their 'ace' rating. Later, in August 1945, after numerous aerial victories and assorted bombing missions, it participated in the Japanese surrender.