Karo-Aviation visit's  Lakenheath 2019-5
Article and pictures by Ronald de Roij


Homestead F-16 to deploy to RAF Lakenheath

Twelve F-16's from Homestead Air Reserve Base arrived at RAF Lakenheath in the evening of 5 May 2019. The aircraft from the US Air Force Reserve Command 482nd Fighter Wing, 93rd Fighter Squadron "Makos”, arrived from Atlantic City in two groups of six aircraft.

The deployment,

The unit is expected to deploy to Europe for a couple of weeks. The deployment starts at Lakenheath and the aircraft will move in to Europe from May 20th.

But they are set to return to Lakenheath in time to participate in the D-Day celebrations in early June. As it was one of the units dropping Para troops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy on D-Day

The 93rd Fighter Squadron showed some incredible flying in the local pattern will be deployed at RAF Lakenheath over the last two weeks..

The Air Force began conducting European TSP rotations in 2015 but the mission has been in the Pacific region since 2004. The Air Force has increased this rotational presence in Europe to reassure Allies and partner nations that the commitment to European security is a priority.

 This kind of cooperation shows USAF visibly and securely operates together with its NATO partners in Europe. When the tensions rise even higher the USAF is able to switch to the operational mode without any hesitation as shown by these deployments. Theatre security packages deployments to Europe vary in length and are supported with aircraft and Airmen from stateside units.

The 93rd Fighter Squadron showed some incredible flying in the local pattern will be deployed at RAF Lakenheath over the last two weeks.

93th Fighter Squadron,

The 93rd Fighter Squadron the "Makos" operates out of Homestead Air Reserve Station, located near the southern end of the Florida peninsula, about 25 miles south of Miami. The unit flies and maintains the F-16C Fighting Falcon aircraft. The F-16s can be identified by the letters "FM" ("Florida Makos") and the mako shark displayed proudly on the tail.

Activated in June 1943 under I Troop Carrier Command and equipped with Douglas C-47 Skytrains. Trained in various parts of the eastern United States until the end of 1943. Deployed to England and assigned to IX Troop Carrier Command. Began operations by dropping Para troops of the 101st Airborne Division in Normandy on D-Day 6 June 1944 and releasing gliders with reinforcements on the following day.
Inactivated during the post-war 1950s, the 93rd Fighter Squadron was reactivated in October 1978 at then Homestead Air Force Base, flying F-4C Phantom II fighter aircraft. The "Makos" were the first unit in the Air Force Reserve to fly the Phantom, which was, at that time, the predominant fighter in use by the Air Force.

In November of 1989 the 93rd Fighter Squadron began conversion from the F-4D to the F-16A/B. Homestead AFB is only 96 miles away from Cuba, making it a strategic location. On February 1st, 1992 the squadron changed designation from the 93rd Tactical Fighter Squadron to the 93rd Fighter Squadron.