Jagdgeschwader
Jagdgeschwader (JG) , also Jagdfliegergeschwader, is the name for a flying operational unit of the Air Force .
Intended use
Fighter squadrons serve u. a. the defense against enemy aircraft as well as escorting one's own air raid units .
equipment
The aircraft used in fighter squadrons were and are mostly one or two-seater, single or multi-engine high-performance aircraft that are regularly equipped for air combat with light armament ( machine guns , machine cannons and air-to-air missiles ).
First World War
The first fighter pilot units were set up during the First World War . The task of these formations was initially to displace or fight enemy reconnaissance planes and tethered balloons over the front , as well as to protect their own reconnaissance planes and bombers from enemy planes.
For this purpose, so-called fighter squadrons (Jasta) were set up , first in the German armed forces, with single-seat aircraft and mostly synchronized, i.e. H. machine guns firing through the propeller circle . The first fighter squadron was formed from the so-called Jasta (Jagdstaffeln) 4, 6, 10 and the Jasta 11 , the German air forces in June 1917 under the command of Manfred Freiherr von Richthofen as Jagdgeschwader 1 (JG 1).
On the British and French sides, however, the system of squadrons (Squadron or Escadrille) has remained to this day.
Second World War
During the Second World War , fighter squadrons were initially used to ensure air superiority over their own territory and the combat area. Other areas of responsibility were the accompaniment of own air raid groups to protect against enemy fighters and the interception of enemy bomber groups . This included the protection of stationary objects (e.g. cities, bridges) as well as mobile formations (e.g. tank and troop movements in the event of an attack or retreat or ship combat units ). Furthermore, low-level attacks were carried out to relieve the own ground forces . For this purpose, individual groups or squadrons of a fighter squadron were converted for fighter-bomber operations. After the night bombing began , night fighter squadrons were set up in the various air forces . These mostly used multi-seat aircraft equipped with radar . In the Allied and Japanese naval forces , fighter units were also used by aircraft carriers to protect their own fleets and for attack operations.
Modern times
The range of duties of a fighter squadron has hardly changed since the Second World War. The modern fighter jets , land or sea-based, are still one or two-seater and are able to perceive the given mission in relation to location, situation and operation both during the day and at night under any weather conditions. Due to the variable payload options, they can also be used as fighter-bombers , reconnaissance or ground attack aircraft .
Markings
In addition to the national emblems , the aircraft of the fighter pilot units carried various license plates for identification.
While the Allied Air Forces used letter combinations in the Second World War, in the German Air Force membership of various fighter squadrons was marked with coats of arms and / or color markings on the engine cowling, the fuselage or the tail unit of the fighter aircraft . Furthermore, symbols on the fuselage in front of the national emblem indicated the position of the pilot in the squadron (e.g. commodore , adjutant , squadron leader). Otherwise there was a number (also colored). A colored symbol behind the national emblem indicated the group or squadron membership.
The markings for enemy aircraft that had been shot down were mostly under the cockpit of the Allies and on the tail unit of the German Air Force.
In both world wars, some pilots also "decorated" their aircraft with personal coats of arms / drawings or names.
Nowadays, fighter squadrons of many nations are marked in front of and behind the national emblem with only combinations of letters and / or numbers. In the Air Force of the Armed Forces , the fighters also lead even today their respective Badge or squadron crest.
Traditional and squadron names
- As early as the First World War, various hunting associations were given names or names. In France these were z. B. the " Escadrille La Fayette " and the "Cicognes" (storks), in the American Air Force u. a. the 94th "Hat in the Ring" season.In Germany, the Jasta 2 received the addition "Boelcke" after the death of Oswald Boelcke . JG 1 was also named "Richthofen" after it fell.
Société de Production des Aéroplanes Deperdussin XIII fighter plane marked with the 94th 'Hat in the ring' squadron - During World War II some German fighter squadrons were, in addition to the numbers, in addition traditional name such as "Richthofen" and " Udet awarded" or they were given names such as " Ace of Spades " or " Green Heart ".
- This tradition was continued in the Air Force of the Federal Republic of Germany and the first two fighter squadrons were given the traditional names " Richthofen " and " Mölders ". On September 18, 1997, JG 73 was given the traditional name " Steinhoff ".
F-104 Starfighter of JG 71 'Richthofen' - In the NVA air force, too , names of well-known personalities were given to fighter pilots' associations (e.g. " Juri Gagarin " or " Wilhelm Pieck ").
structure
The structure of a fighter squadron differs from country to country. In Germany it is divided into groups, squadrons, swarms and ranks . In Great Britain and the USA, fighter pilot associations are divided into Fighter Group, Fighter Wing, Squadron, Flights and Elements. The number of aircraft in the respective national associations also varies. The personnel and technical inventory of a fighter squadron includes, then as now, in addition to the aeronautical part, also the so-called ground organization. This is u. a. together from administrative, replenishment , communication, air defense , maintenance and security units .
Renaming to the German Bundeswehr
On October 1, 2013, all squadrons (JG, JaboG, AG) of the Federal Air Force were renamed and have been referred to as Tactical Air Force Squadrons ever since . In the traditional squadrons, the traditional names were retained or adopted.
literature
- Walter A. Musciano: The famous Me 109 and their pilots. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1989, ISBN 3-613-01236-7 .
- Tony Wood, Bill Gunston: The Air Force. Book and Time, Cologne 1979.
- Hans Ring, Christopher Shores: Air battle between sand and sun. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1978, ISBN 3-87943-151-5 .
- Josef Priller : JG 26. Motorbuch, Stuttgart 1980, ISBN 3-87943-712-2 .
