27th Aero Squadron
The 27th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.
| 27th Aero Squadron | |
|---|---|
Lt. Frank Luke Jr. with his SPAD XIII at Rembercourt Airdrome, France, on 19 September 1918 | |
| Active | 15 June 1917 – 14 March 1921 |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army Air Service |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Pursuit |
| Part of | American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) |
| Fuselage Code | "American Eagle" |
| Engagements | World War I |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Maj. Harld E. Hartney Capt. Alfred S. Grant |
| Insignia | |
| 27th Aero Squadron Emblem | |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter | Sopwith F-1 Camel, 1918 Nieuport 28, 1918 Spad XIII, 1918–1919 |
| Trainer | Curtiss JN-4, 1917–1918 |
| Service record | |
|---|---|
| Operations |
1st Pursuit Group Western Front, France: 29 May-11 November 1918 |
| Victories |
Air Aces: 6
|
The squadron was assigned as a Day Pursuit (Fighter) Squadron as part of the 1st Pursuit Group, First United States Army. Its mission was to engage and clear enemy aircraft from the skies and provide escort to reconnaissance and bombardment squadrons over enemy territory. It also attacked enemy observation balloons, and perform close air support and tactical bombing attacks of enemy forces along the front lines.
After the 1918 Armistice with Germany, the squadron returned to the United States in June 1919 and became part of the permanent United States Army Air Service in 1921, being re-designated as the 27th Squadron (Pursuit).
The current United States Air Force unit which holds its lineage and history is the 27th Fighter Squadron, assigned to the 1st Operations Group, Joint Base Langley–Eustis, Virginia.