27th FIS (1st Fighter Wing) during ADC days, Loring AFB

27th FIS Photos

during the Air Defense Command and Strategic Air Command Days

27th FIS pilots during F-86 days. c 1950-1952, location unknown

The 27th Fighter Interceptor Squadron (FIS) was originally transferred to Air Defense Command (ADC) from Strategic Air Command (SAC) with F-80s in December 1948. However, the squadron went back under SAC four months later in May 1949. In April 1950 the 27th FIS was again transferred to ADC, still at March AFB, but with new F-86A aircraft. In July 1950 the squadron moved to George AFB for a brief one month when it again moved in August 1950 across the county to Griffiss AFB in Rome, NY.

In August 1952 the squadron began transitioning into F-89Cs; however, the change was never completed. It continued flying F-86As until the spring of 1954 when a transition into F-94Cs was completed.

In the fall of 1957 the unit transitioned into F-102As. Two years later in the fall of 1959 the squadron moved to Loring AFB and began flying F-106As.

On 11 July 1971 the 27th FIS designation was transferred to TAC as the 27th TFS.

27 FIS at William Tell Air-to-Air Weapons meet at Tyndall AFB, FL 1967
Photo courtesy of Roger D'Entremont

27th FIS, F-102 days,
c.1957-59, Griffis AFB, NY

27 FIS F-106
Photo courtesy of Roger D'Entremont

"Don't know how I managed to hold onto this pic for 49 years, but it is the only one I have from Griffiss....It was taken Armed Forces Day 1957....The day I got my ride in an A/B a/c with JATO!!!!!! 16 a/c airborne, 4 on alert, 1 solo airborne with me as a back seater, 3 in PE Insp and 1 hangar queen........Pretty good OR rate I would say.........About 6 months later and they were on their way to some ANG sqdn as we got the Duece."
Photo courtesy of Jim G, "the Old Sarge"

Emblem of the 27th FIS at Loring AFB, Maine - Air Defense Command
Photo courtesy of Nolan (Sam) Blankenship

F-106s of the 27th FIS, Loring AFB, ME (Flight lead is Capt. Jim Hudson, wingman is Roger D'Entremont ), taken over the St. Johns River, the border between Maine and Canada c. August 1961 to July 1964.
Photo courtesy of Roger D'Entremont

27th FIS ops during F-4 days, Loring AFB, ME, date unknown

The last F-106A patch

F-86 era memoirs, photos, and rosters by Robert W. Smith, Griffis AFB, Rome N.Y. 1950-51 - His autobiography website

27th FIS F-106 in Alaska

27th FIS Ops, Loring AFB, ME, date unknown

Robert Leahey's F-106 patch from the 27th FIS

Robert Leahey's F-106 patch from his flight jacket

Robert Leahey' patches from his stint as a pilot with the 27th, 1956-58