LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va –
The 71st Fighter Squadron officially inactivated at a ceremony inside the 71 FS hangar Sept. 30 at 9:71 a.m. (10:11 a.m.).
The inactivation of the 71 FS, also known as the Ironmen, originated from a cost-saving effort from the United States Air Force, in which the service wanted to retire some of the more legacy fourth generation aircraft, according to Lt. Col. Joel Cook, 71 FS commander.
"The inactivation of the 71st Fighter Squadron will benefit ACC (Air Combat Command) and Langley as a whole because it allows additional funds to modernize our weapons system in the Air Force," he added.
The 71st was formed Dec. 14, 1940, as the 71st Pursuit Squadron and was activated at Selfridge Field, Mich., Jan. 1, 1941. The squadron was then assigned to the 1st Pursuit Group and reported to San Diego Naval Air Station Dec. 9, 1941, to perform anti- submarine duty along the Pacific Coast. During World War II the 71st had 102 kills and four aces during that campaign, which they fought in an European-African tour lasting until October 1945.
In 1975, the 71st moved to its current home with the 1st Fighter Wing where it was equipped with the F-15 Eagle in 1976. The 71st would continue flying sorties during Northern and Southern Watch and were supporting Operation Noble Eagle on the home front after Sept. 11, 2001.
"I've been in the military 23 years and over half of my career has been here at Langley with the F-15s," said Chief Master Sgt. Carlos Taylor, 71st Aircraft Maintenance Unit superintendent.
"Being here since the flight line has vacated the F-15s, it's like losing a family member. The F-15s have been part of Langley since the late 70s... When I come to work I still look at the flight line expecting to see F-15s, and it's pretty tough now that their gone."
The 71st garnered numerous awards in its distinguished career. The 71 FS won the prestigious Hughes Achievement trophy a record five times: 1969, 1993, 1998, 2001 and 2005. This award is given annually to the most outstanding air superiority unit in the Air Force. The 71st has received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award and the Presidential Unit Citation each, on four separate occasions and also has more than 170,000 incident-free hours.
"The heritage and history of this squadron is incredible. For over 69 years the 71st Fighter Squadron and AMU has essentially provided that blanket of freedom that we and all Americans sleep under every night," said Colonel Cook. "We look at a squadron that's legendary... even after that flag is furled, we will always remember that we in the squadron and AMU that we are Ironmen."