308th Fighter Squadron

308th Fighter Squadron
308th Fighter Squadron Patch
Active	30 January 1942 – 7 November 1945 20 August 1946 – 15 June 2015
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Fighter Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command 19th Air Force 56th Fighter Wing 56th Operations Group.
Garrison/HQ	Luke Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Emerald Knights
Colors	Green & White (checkerboard) Tailband
Engagements	Operation Torch Operation Husky Operation Dragoon
Decorations	Distinguished Unit Citation Presidential Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat V device Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm

The 308th Fighter Squadron (308 FS) is part of the 56th Operations Group at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.

The 308th FS ("Emerald Knights", Tailband: Green & White (checkerboard)), fly Block 42 F-16C/Ds conducting F-16 Fighting Falcon crew training for active duty USAF pilots.

Initially established under Third Air Force in early 1942 as a fighter squadron at Baer Field, Indiana, flying some antisubmarine patrols in the Gulf of Mexico.

Deployed to the European Theater of Operations (ETO) in June 1942 without aircraft as its P-40s and P-39s were deemed unsuitable for use against German aircraft in long-range bomber escort duties. Was re-equipped with RAF Spitfire Vs and its pilots and technicians spent a two-month period undergoing intensive training in flying and fighting with RAF pilots in the British aircraft from airfields in southeast England. The squadron flew its first combat mission on 18 August 1942, when it attacked enemy positions in occupied France.

Assigned to the new Twelfth Air Force and deployed to Gibraltar in November 1942 as part of the Operation Torch invasion forces, initially operating from former Vichy French airfields in Algeria. Advanced east across Algeria and Tunisia during the North African Campaign, supporting the Fifth United States Army which halted Field Marshal Rommel's advance on allied positions.