Watching the F-35A's of the 493d Fighter Squadron fly low level through the famous Mach Loop reminded of the history of the 493d. They low level sorties they were trained to do in preparation to support the Normandy Campaign in 1944. Enjoy the flight of four "POWER FLIGHT" make two passes around the Low Flying Area 7 in North Wales, which is better known as the Mach Loop.
On the 15th January 1941, the US Army Air Corps activated the 48th Bombardment Group (Light) with four Bombardments Squadrons. One of which was the 56th Bombardment Squadron (Light), who were then newly designated at Key Field in 1943 as the 493d Fighter Bomber Squadron. In 1944, the 493d were equipped with the P-47 Thunderbolt and in March of that year, headed for RAF Ibsley, England. From here, they began rigorous training which involved flying dive-bombing, glide bombing, night flying, smoke laying, low level navigation, reconnaissance, patrol convoy sorties and training to escort bombers. They were specifically training for the Normandy campaign to assist with the Normandy Invasion.
During the campaign, the Grim Reapers with their P-47 Thunderbolts, would use all that they were trained to do to assist ground troops and strike attacks, including bombing of major railway lines, roads, gun positions, reconnaissance and attacking strategic positions. The 48th initiated in over 2,000 sorties as a whole for the D-Day/Normandy Campaign, to which they awarded a DUC (Distinguished Unit Citation).
It was on the 10th July 1952, the Oklahoma Air National Guard 137th Fighter-Bomber Wing at Chaumont-Semoutiers Air Base, France was redesignated as the 48th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
The Statue of Liberty was actually made near the base and the Mayor of the town gave a ceremonial name to the base as the "Statue of Liberty Wing". The 48th Fighter Wing is the only Wing in the USAF to have a number and a name!
It wasn't until 15th January 1960 that the 48th Tactical Fighter Wing, along with the 493s TFS made Lakenehath their new home. LS was the tail code for the 493d with the F-100's but when they transitioned to the Phantom, a temporary tail code of LK was introduced until a few months later it changed once more to LN, which is active today.
In 1991, The 48th Tactical Fighter Wing was redesignated as the 48th Fighter Wing. This included the 'Tactical' title being dropped on the squadrons too, the 493d became the 493d FS. On the 18th December 1992, the F-111F flown by the squadron was being retired. On the 15th November 1993, the Grim Reapers received their F-15C and F-15D Eagles and reactivated. Their legacy with the F-15 lasted for 19 years until, in 2022, the 493d inactivated along with retiring the F-15C/D Eagles later they were to be reactivated and re-equipped with the F-35A Lightning.
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10 сен 2024
