Hobby Master Archive

The present day 52nd FW was formed the last day of 1971 at Spangdahlem Air Base Germany. It is the largest fighter operation in Germany and consists of 3 squadrons with one being the 81st FS flying the A-10A Thunderbolt II. One task assigned to the 81st known as “The Panthers” was in support of NATO in Kosovo. Here they flew a total of 1,181 sorties during 4,705 hours of flying. The “Panthers” won the 1997 Commander in Chief Trophy as best fighter squadron in the USAFE (USAF Europe).