49th Aero Squadron
| 49th Aero Squadron | |
|---|---|
Men (and mascot dog) of the 49th Aero Squadron, Souilly Aerodrome, France, November 1918
|
|
| Active | 6 August 1917 – 22 March 1919 |
| Country |
 United States
|
| Branch |
 Air Service, United States Army
|
| Type | Squadron |
| Part of | American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) |
| Fuselage Code | "Snarling Wolf" |
| Engagements |
 World War I |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders |
Lt. George F. Fisher |
| Insignia | |
| 49th Aero Squadron Emblem |  |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | SPAD S.XIII, 1918 |
| Trainer | Curtiss JN-4, 1917 |
| Service record | |
|---|---|
| Operations |
2d Pursuit Group Western Front, France: 14 August-11 November 1918 |
| Victories |
Air Aces: 0
|
Air Aces: 0
Notable pilots:
The 49th Aero Squadron was an Air Service, United States Army unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.
The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 2d Pursuit Group, First United States Army. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines. After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron returned to the United States in March 1919 and was demobilized.
On 16 October 1936, the World War I Aero squadron was consolidated with the United States Army Air Corps 49th Bombardment Squadron to preserve the lineage and history of the unit. Today, the United States Air Force 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron performs flight testing at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.
Formed at Kelly Field #1, San Antonio, Texas on 6 August 1917. During its initial indoctrination training at Kelly Field, many squadron members were reassigned to other squadrons, however on 25 August, personnel from the 68th Aero Squadron were assigned to the 49th. After about a month of basic training as soldiers, the squadron was moved to the newly opened Kelly Field #2 where they began training with Curtiss JN-4 Jennys as a school squadron.
On 16 November, training ended and the squadron moved back to Kelly Field #1 to await orders for overseas deployment. On 21 November, an additional 65 men were assigned to the 49th Squadron, and the unit entrained in San Antonio bound for Garden City, Long Island, New York.
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