53rd Tactical Fighter Squadron

53d Fighter Squadron
53d Fighter Squadron F-15C Eagle 79-0025 showing "SP" Tail Code, Spangdahlem AB, Germany, 1995
Active	1 January 1941-31 March 1999
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Type	Squadron
Role	Fighter
Decorations	DUC AFOUA Belgium Fourragère
Insignia
53d Fighter Squadron emblem

The 53d Fighter Squadron is an inactive United States Air Force unit. It was last assigned to the 52d Operations Group and stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. It was inactivated on 31 March 1999.

Activated on 1 January 1941 as one of the three squadrons assigned to the 32d Pursuit Group as part of the United States buildup of forces after the eruption of World War II. This unit was organized for the most part, from Puerto Rico based units, as were many of the aircraft. It was equipped with a mixture of Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, along with Curtiss P-36A Hawk, Northrop A-17s and at least one Vultee YA-19. After being formed at Albrook Field, Panama Canal Zone, the squadron was moved to Rio Hato Army Air Base, Panama. The unit moved to La Chorrera Field on 7 January 1942 after briefly being assigned to France Field on 30 December 1941.

Along with other Pursuit Squadrons, the 53d was re-designated as the 53d Fighter Squadron on 15 May 1942. During late 1942, three Douglas P-70 night fighters were briefly assigned to the 53d as, during this period, it was still considered a strong possibility that a night attack on the Panama Canal might he attempted, and the night fighter defenses of the area were nil. The P-70's departed in mid-January 1943.

Like a number of other Sixth Air Force fighter units, the 53d effectively assumed the duties and designation of the 30th Fighter Squadron on 3 January 1943. The 30th was at La Chorrcra and the 53d at France Field at the time this "switch" took place. By April–May 1943, the unit was operating with an assortment of aircraft as a result of its "switch" with the 30th FS, which by then included Bell P-39D Airacobras and P-40s.