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Luke AFB F-16 69th Fighter Squadron Werewolves

Luke AFB F-16 69th Fighter Squadron Werewolves poster art.

The 69th Fighter Squadron is a United States Air Force Reserve fighter squadron and is assigned to the 944th Operations Group, stationed at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 69th FS trains Air Force Reserve Command pilots in combat tactics and is integrated with the 56th Operations Group. The 69th FS was activated in 1941 as a single-engine fighter operational and replacement training unit, initially assigned to III Fighter Command and reassigned to I Fighter Command in 1942. They used P-39 Aircobras and P-40 Warhawks for training and converted to an operational squadron in 1943 and re-equipped with P-47 Thunderbolts. The Squadron deployed to South Pacific Area in 1943, being assigned to Thirteenth Air Force. It began combat operations in February 1944, providing protection for U.S. bases and escorting transports initially, then escorting bombers over New Guinea and sea convoys to the Admiralty Islands.