53rd Fighter Squadron
| 53rd Fighter Squadron | |
|---|---|
Four F-16C Fighting Falcons of the squadron's associate, the 121st Fighter Squadron, at Joint Base Andrews in 2022 | |
| Active | 1941–1946; 1946–1999; 2021–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Fighter |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Joint Base Andrews, Maryland |
| Nickname(s) | Tigers |
| Equipment | F-16C/D Fighting Falcon |
| Engagements | World War II – American Theater World War II – EAME Theater Cold War Berlin Crisis of 1961 Cuban Missile Crisis Gulf War (Southwest Asia) April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Belgian Fourragère |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Lt. Col. James Wentzel |
| Insignia | |
| 53d Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 28 October 1943) | |
| Squadron tail codes | 6V (1943 – 1946) BT (1970 – 1993) SP (1994 – 1999) DC (2021 – present) |
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The 53rd Fighter Squadron (53 FS) is an active unit of the United States Air Force, stationed at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland. Assigned to the 495th Fighter Group, the squadron was last activated on 10 December 2021, as an associate unit to the 113th Wing's 121st Fighter Squadron. It was previously assigned to the 52nd Operations Group and stationed at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, from where it operated the McDonnell Douglas F-15C/D Eagle until its inactivation on 31 March 1999.