"Just a nice Picture...!"

Buzzards Rule! This year, the 510th Fighter Squadron Buzzards exist 80 years. For this occasion, the unit added special tail markings to F-16CM Fighting Falcon 89-2030 (c/n 1C-183) commemorating the units anniversay.

Our friend Marco Papa captured the special markings whilst landing at its current homebase, Aviano (Italy), on 20 March 2023. The 510th was first activated as the 625th Bombardment Squadron in 1943, changing to the 510th Fighter-Bomber Squadron a few months later. After training in the US, the unit was transferred to the United Kingdom in March 1944, helping prepare for Operation Overlord by attacking targets in France.

In April 1959, the unit was redesignated as the 510th Tactical Fighter Squadron and operated out of Clark air base (Philippines) operating their first fighters; the North American F-100 Super Sabre. In March 1964, the unit returned to the US and was based at England AFB (LA), where it only stayed for a period of four months. During the Vietnam War, the 510th was moved to Bien Hoa air base (South Vietnam). In November 1969, the unit was deactivated.

Activated again in October 1978, the unit came under the 81st Tactical Fighter Wing at RAF Bentwaters and operated the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II. In October 1992, during their deployment to Incirlik air base (Turkey), the squadron was re-assigned to the 52nd Operations Group at Spangdahlem air base (Germany), to where they moved in January 1993. The squadron was inactivated in March 1994.

On 1 July 1994, the 510th was reactivated at Aviano air base as the 510th Fighter Squadron operating the F-16 Fighting Falcon which were made available from the 512th Fighter Squadron at Ramstein air base (Germany). The Buzzards will see their 30th F-16 operated anniversary in 2024!

Photo by Marco Papa Photography