58th Fighter Squadron

58th Fighter Squadron
58th Fighter Squadron
	Eric Smith of the 58th Fighter Squadron, the first Air Force pilot qualified on an F-35, pilots the military's first F-35.
Active	1941–1945; 1946–1960; 1970–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Air Force
Role	Fighter Training
Part of	Air Education and Training Command
Garrison/HQ	Eglin Air Force Base
Nickname(s)	Gorillas
Engagements	; EAME Theater World War II; ; Asia-Pacific Theater World War II; ; Vietnam War; ; 1991 Gulf War;
Decorations	; Distinguished Unit Citation; ; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device; ; Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (5x); ; Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm;
Insignia
58th Fighter Squadron emblem (modified and reinstated 14 July 1971)
Patch with 58th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron emblem (approved 30 March 1951)
58th Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 18 January 1944)	]

The 58th Fighter Squadron (58 FS) is part of the 33d Fighter Wing, a joint graduate flying and maintenance training wing for the F-35A, B, and C, organized under Air Education and Training Command's 19th Air Force, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. Its mission is to train US Air Force operators and maintainers on employment and maintenance of the F-35A Lightning II, as part of the overall 33d FW mission of training American and international aircrews and maintainers of US Air Force, US Navy, US Marine Corps, and international Air Forces.