The Buzzard History

The 510th Fighter Squadron was originally formed as the 625th Bombardment Squadron (Dive), 405th Bombardment Group, at Drew Field, Florida in 1943, flying the Douglas A-24 Banshee. On August 15, 1943, the 625th was renamed the 510th Fighter-Bomber-Squadron. In late 1943, the squadron moved to Walterboro Army Air Field, South Carolina, and began flying the Bell P-39 Airacobra, and then the Republic P-47 Thunderbolt. In March of 1944, the 510th moved to Christchurch, England, and began combat operations. During WWII, the 510th moved to mainland Europe with the advance of Allied troops , flying from Picauville and St Dizier, France; Ophoven, Belgium; and Kitzingen, Germany. The unit was credited with 39 kills. In late 1945, the 510th was deactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. In 1952, the 510th was reactivated at Godman AFB, Kentucky, flying the Republic F-84 Thunderstreack. In April of 1953, the squadron relocated to Langley AFB Virginia and transitioned to the North American F-100 Super Sabre. In 1959 , the 510th moved to Clark AB, Philippines. In 1964, the squadron moved to England AFB, Louisiana, At the start of the Vietnam War, the 510th established a new home at Bien Hoa AB, Vietnam. Bien Hoa became the birth place of the "Bien Hoa Buzzards". The 510th flew over 27,200 combat mission in Southeast Asia. In 1969, the unit again deactivated. In 1979, the 510th reactivated at RAF Bentwaters, England, and began receiving the Fairchild A-10 Thunderbolt II. In 1991, the 510th deployed to Incirlik AB, Turkey, in support of Operations DESERT STORM and Operation PROVIDE COMFORT. In 1993, the 510th relocated to Spangdahlem AB, Germany. During 1993-1994, the 510th flew more than 1,700 combat sorties, from Aviano AB, Italy, in support of Operation Deny Flight. In the skies over Bosnia-Herzegovina, the squadron became the infamous "Bosnia Buzzards". The 510th was deactivated in April 1994 and reactivated at Aviano AB, Italy on July 1, 1994 as the 510th FS "Bosnia Buzzards". The 510th Buzzards now fly the worlds greatest fighter; the single seat , single engine, single tail supersonic, multi-role, 9G, General Dynamics/Lockheed F-16CG Viper.
By Maverick