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OPERATION ALLIED FORCE
510th Fighter Squadron

The 510th Fighter Squadron activated as part of the 31st FW at Aviano Air Base, Italy, July 1, 1994, changed over to the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft and immediately took up an active role by providing its sister squadron, the 555th FS, with additional pilots to help fulfill the "Triple Nickel"'s role supporting Deny Flight, the United Nations mandate of a no-fly zone over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
The squadron is equipped with 18 F-16 C/D block 40 aircraft and is tasked with conducting offensive and defensive operations under NATO, Supreme Allied Commander Europe and national taskings with various weapon systems.
The squadron originally activated as the 625th Bombardment Squadron (Dive) Feb.24, 1943, at Drew Field, Fla. Its initial aircraft was the Douglas A-24, a land-based version of the U.S.Navy Dauntless dive bomber. The squadron was assigned to the 405th Bombardment Group (later designed a fighter-bomber and fighter group). The unit was redesigned the 510st Fighter Bomber Squadron Aug.10,1943, and moved to Waterloo Army Air Field, S.C., Sept.13, 1943. During this time, the squadron transitioned to the Bell P-39 Aircobra and later to the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. Moving to Europe March 6, 1944, the squadron began combat operations from Christchurch, England, April 11, 1944. The 510th followed the Allied armies as they advanced toward Germany with moves to Picauville and St.Dizier in France, Ophoven in Belgium and Kitzingen, Germany, when the war ended. The men and the women of the 510th earned seven World War II campaign streamers. On Oct.27, 1945, the squadron was deactivated at Camp Kilmer, N.J.
The squadron was reactivated Dec.1, 1952, at Goodman AFB, Ky., and was again designated the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron flying Republic F-84 Thunderjets. They moved to Langley AFB, Va., April 17, 1953, where the unit transitioned to the North American F-100s. The squadron transferred to England AFB, La., March 13, 1964, and was assigned to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing. On Nov.10, 1965, the 510th moved to Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Viet Nam, where it flew more than 27.000 combat missions. The 510th earned 11 more campaign streamers in Vietnam. The squadron deactivated Nov.15, 1969, and reactivated at RAF Bentwaters, England, Oct.15, 1978. At the time, it became the second squadron equipped with the Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II to begin operations with the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing. While assigned to the 81st TFW, the squadron deployed for three months in the autumn of 1991 to support United Nations coalition forces in Operation Desert Storm, as well as Operation Provide Confort, at Incirlik AB, Turkey.
On Jan.14, 1993, the 510th was assigned to the 52nd Figther Wing, Spangdalhem AB, Germany, becoming the only A-10 squadron in USAFE. The squadron deactivated Feb.25, 1994, to be reactivated on 1st July 1994, equipped with F-16 and part of the 31st FW.
The squadron immediately took up an active role with its sister squadron, the 555th FS, supporting operation Deny Flight, the United Nation mandate of a "no-fly zone" over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
In November 1994, the squadron became one of the first USAFE F-16 squadron to fly combat missions using LANTIRN (Low-Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infra-Red for Night) with precision guided munitions.
In April 1995 the squadron assumed an additional role as airborne FAC (Forward Air Control), one of the first two squadrons to ever be employed in this mission. The unit flew 206 combat sorties during operation Deliberate Force over the former Yugoslavia in September 1995, and later supported the peace implementation force participating in operation Decisive Edge.

In the picture: Lockheed-Martin F-16C 88-143 "Buzzard 01" is the personal mount of Lt.Col.Edward J.Ryder, 510th Fighter Squadron commanding officer at the beginning 1996. The unit's eagle head is painted on the fin. (update June 1996)

(Aeromedia, May 1999)

Aviano Air Base
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Operation Allied Force