#1747 727 Sqn, F-35A Lightning II print
Description
Squadron Prints Lithograph No. 1747 - L-007, F-35A Lighting II, Fighter Squadron 727, Flying Wing Skrydstruo, Denmark.
727 Fighter Squadron was formed on November 1st, 1952 as part of the newly founded Royal Danish Air Force. It is the oldest flying squadron in Denmark. At the height of the Cold War, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization needed a front-line squadron to protect the Kingdom of Denmark and the freedom of Western Europe. During this time, 727 Fighter Squadron employed Republic F-84G Thunderjets from Karup Air Base – just 175 miles from the border of the German Democratic Republic, where Polish and Soviet units were stationed. In 1959, the squadron became the first of three to fly the North American F-100F Super Sabre. Throughout the 60s and 70s, Denmark’s F-100s were the premier fighter-bombers to oppose Warsaw Pact forces. In 1974, 727 Fighter Squadron moved to Skrydstrup Air Base where it is located to this day. In 1980, the squadron was again chosen to introduce a new generation of fighter aircraft - the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon. More commonly known as the “Viper,” the F-16 is a single-engine, supersonic, multirole fighter which replaced the F-100 and F-104. As a founding member of the European Participating Air Forces, the Royal Danish Air Force transitioned to an “expeditionary” mindset for both exercises and combat. 727 Fighter Squadron regularly contributes to international exercises such as Red Flag and Frisian Flag. The squadron first deployed in 1997 during the Kosovo crisis in the Balkans. Aircraft and pilots from the squadron deployed to Grazzanise Air Base in Italy were part of the Immediate Reaction Force during Operation ALLIED FORCE. 727 Fighter Squadron also participated in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM from 2002 to 2003. The squadron flew missions from Manas Air Base, Kyrgyzstan into Afghanistan in support of International Security Assistance Forces with some missions lasting over 10 hours. International operations continued for 727 Fighter Squadron from Naval Air Station Sigonella during Operation ODYSSEY DAWN and Operation UNIFIED PROTECTOR in 2011. Likewise, the squadron deployed to Ahmad al-Jaber Air Base, Kuwait from 2014 to 2015 and Incirlik Air Base, Turkey in 2016 to support Operation INHERENT RESOLVE. Under the auspices of Air Policing, 727 Fighter Squadron has regularly provided assurance of territorial sovereignty along the northern and eastern borders of NATO. In 2022 the 727 Fighter Squadron celebrated their 70th anniversary. On October 1st, 2023, almost 71 years after its formation, 727 Fighter Squadron received their first F-35As, introducing a new, stealthy era for the Royal Danish Air Force.
VOLAT…PERCUTIT…REVERTITUR.
It flies... it strikes true... it returns. Written in Latin, the phrase refers to the Viking War Hammer, Mjølner, belonging to Thor, God of War.
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