USAF Patch Fighter b 60 FIS Fighter Interceptor Squadron F 101 Voodoo c

USAF Patch 60 Fighter Interceptor Squadron F 101 Voodoo d Late 1960s Crow Facing Right Green Centre Otis AFB Massachusetts embroidered on twill cut edge 98mm three and seven eighth inches diameter.

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Squadron History

Following service in North Africa Italy and Burma during World War II 60 Fighter Squadron was inactivated at Camp Shanks New York on 8 December 1945. The Squadron was reactivated as 60 Fighter Squadron Single Engine on 20 August 1946 at Neubiberg Air Base Germany equipped with P 51 Mustang fighters. 60 FS SE was assigned to 33 Fighter Group and relocated to AAF Station Bad Kissingen Germany in 1947 before returning to the US first to Andrews Field Maryland then to Walker Air Force Base New Mexico at the end of 1947.

The Squadron reequipped with F 84 Thunderjet fighters and was redesignated 60 Fighter Squadron Jet on 14 June 1948 before relocating to Otis AFB Massachusetts in November 1948 where it converted to F 86A Sabre fighter aircraft becoming operational in June 1949.

The Squadron was redesignated 60 Fighter Interceptor Squadron on 20 January 1950 moving to Westover Air Force Base Massachusetts on 9 August 1950 becoming part of the Air Defense Command on 1 January 1951 up grading to F 86E Sabres. 60 FIS was reassigned to 4707 Defense Wing on 6 February 1952 and upgraded to F 86D Sabre Interceptor aircraft in 1953.

60 FIS was reassigned to 33 Fighter Group on 18 August 1955 when it returned to Otis AFB and reequipped with F 94C Starfire fighters. The Squadron was reassigned to 4735 Air Defense Group on 18 August 1957.

On 5 January 1959 60 FIS became the first Air Defense Squadron to receive the new F 101B Voodoo interceptor and alongside its combat Air Defence role was tasked with colleagues at Eglin Air Force Base Florida to assist as part of the Joint Test Force to test the F 101s operational capabilities prior to active service receiving F 101F operational and conversion trainer fully combat capable. The Squadron was reassigned to Boston Air Defense Sector on 1 August 1959.

60 FIS was placed on alert in October and November 1962 in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. The Squadron participated in numerous tests exercises and operations in Air Defense Command and was reassigned to 35 Air Division on 1 April 1966. 60 FIS was reassigned to 21 Air Division on 19 November 1969 before being deactivated on 30 April 1971.

The squadron was reactivated as 60 Tactical Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base on 1 September 1971 equipped with F 15 Eagle aircraft assigned to 33 Tactical Fighter Wing. 60 TFS participated in the Kadena Ready Eagle program in which the members of the Squadron trained new F 15 pilots stationed at Kadena Air Base Japan.

60 TFS made its first combat deployment since World War II in support of Operation Urgent Fury at the end of October 1983 providing air superiority cover for allied forces during the invasion of Grenada. The Squadron continued training and undertook support missions during Operation Just Cause the invasion of Panama December 1989 January 1990.

60 TFS was redesignated 60 Fighter Squadron on 1 November 1991 and reassigned to 33 Operations Group on 1 December 1991 and continued to provide air superiority missions up to 5 December 2008 prior to its inactivation on 1 January 2009.

This patch dates from the late 1960s.