25th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron

25th Fighter Squadron
25th Fighter Squadron Patch
Active	15 January 1941 – 12 December 1945 15 October 1946 – 8 June 1960 20 June 1965 – 31 July 1990 1 October 1993 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter
Part of	Pacific Air Forces 7th Air Force 51st Fighter Wing 51st Operations Group
Garrison/HQ	Osan Air Base
Nickname(s)	Flying Elvises
Motto(s)	"PILSUNG!" (Certain Victory)
Colors	Green
Mascot(s)	Elvis
Decorations	DUC PUC AFOUA w/V Device ROK PUC RVGC w/ Palm

"PILSUNG!"

The 25th Fighter Squadron (25 FS) is part of the US Air Force's 51st Operations Group, 51st Fighter Wing, at Osan Air Base, South Korea. It operates the A-10 Thunderbolt II aircraft conducting close air support missions.

The 25th Fighter Squadron was originally created as the 25th Pursuit Squadron and activated at Hamilton Field, California, on 15 January 1941. By March it was assigned to the 51st Pursuit Group at March Field, California. In July the squadron received P-40 Warhawk aircraft.

The 25th sailed to combat operations in the Pacific Theater aboard the SS President Coolidge on 11 January 1942. The squadron was part of the first deployment of U.S. forces leaving the mainland after the declaration of war. The journey to Melbourne, Australia, took 20 days. By late March the 25th Pursuit Squadron had arrived in Karachi, India, and set up wartime operations.

The 25th flew its first aerial combat mission over "The Hump" on 25 September 1942, flying a combat escort mission. After the squadron moved to Dinjan in Assam, India, combat activity increased. Due to the terrain, the pilots would usually "drag in" on their passes. It was there that the 25th picked up the name "Assam Draggins."

Operations from Dinjan were concentrated against the Japanese in northern Burma along the upper Chindwin and Irrawaddy Rivers. In February 1943 the 25th Fighter Squadron was tasked to defend Fort Hertz near Myitkyina. Fort Hertz was a vital cog in air operations near "The Hump." The 25th bombed and strafed enemy troops, concentrations, supply dumps, bridges, and enemy communication lines for twelve consecutive days, but failed to slow the Japanese advance on Fort Hertz. B-25 heavy bombers were needed to halt the Japan's drive, but none were available. Lieutenant Colonel John E. Barr, the executive officer for the 51st Fighter Group, modified a P-40 to carry 1,000 pound bombs, and by May 1943, the Japanese offensive had been halted .