Provisional Fighter Squadron

[Buck Beach]

What is the difference between this and just a fighter squadron? Tried looking it up on the Internet but couldn't find a definitive answer.

Buck

[DuckofTindalos]

None.

[JWE]

ORIGINAL: Buck Beach
What is the difference between this and just a fighter squadron? Tried looking it up on the Internet but couldn't find a definitive answer.

Buck

No difference. It's just the "name" that a squadron had at a certain point in time. It's just like provisional tank bns, or bdes. They come, they go, they get renamed, they either get an "establishment" number and organization or they are disbanded and the assets go elsewhere. They are collections of stuff that are "provisionally" gathered together and organized into an echelon.

[ed] sorry T, came in behind you and didn't see your post.

[Don Bowen]

Historically the provisional pursuit squadrons formed in Australia were "linked" to squadrons of the same numbers that were in the Philippines (with one exception, as I recall). The loss of the Philippines was not yet accepted. A few experienced pilots from the squadrons in the PI were evacuated to Australia, where a large number of spare P-40 and green pilots were arriving from the US. These were used to form the provisional squadrons, with the original intention of eventually merging them with the "permanent" squadrons. Note: I read this (intent to merge) somewhere and think it reasonable but I can not now find the reference. Thought it was the US Air Air Force History but can't find it in there.

Once things started falling apart in the NEI, some of the provisional squadrons were committed there - with dismal results. Once permanent squadrons arrived in Australia (from the US), the provisional squadrons were disbanded and their planes/personnel transfered.

[Buck Beach]

Thanks fellas.

Buck