24th Fighter Squadron
| 24th Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
Four F-16C Fighting Falcons in formation over the Texas Motor Speedway | |
| Active | 1917–1919; 1921–1946; 2019-present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth |
| Nickname(s) | Leaping Tigers |
| Mascot(s) | Leaping Tigers |
| Engagements | |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt Col Matthew Riley |
| Insignia | |
| 24th Fighter Squadron emblem | |
| 24th Pursuit Squadron emblem | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | F-16C, F-35A |
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The 24th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Combat Command unit, assigned to the 495th Fighter Group at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, Texas. The squadron was activated in 2019 and flies the F-35A as an active associate unit of the 457th Fighter Squadron.
The squadron's first predecessor was organized in June 1917 as the 19th Aero Squadron, a provisional unit, at Kelly Field, Texas. It deployed to France as the 24th Aero Squadron (Observation) and flew combat missions. Following the armistice, it became part of the Army of Occupation. It returned to the United States and was demobilized in November 1919.
The squadron's second predecessor was formed in 1921 as the 24th Squadron (Pursuit). It moved to the Panama Canal Zone the following year and served in the air defense of the Panama Canal until inactivating in 1946. The two squadrons were consolidated in 1924.