492nd Fighter Squadron has a ball

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Erin Zabarnick
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  The 492nd Fighter Squadron celebrated 70 years of heritage and service at the Imperial War Museum in Duxford, Cambridge Nov. 12. More than 130 past and present 'Madhatters' were in attendance.

Retired Col. Sydney "Playboy" Wright, 492nd FS commander from 1973 to 1975; Robert "Junior" Suminsby, 492nd FS commander from 1999 to 2001 and now the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Inspector General; and retired Col. Mike "Skipper" Gaan, a 492nd line pilot from 1972 to 1976, were some of the heritage guests in attendance.

"It's been 35 years, and it's great to be back," said Colonel Gaan. "I don't recognize it here with these fancy new buildings. We didn't have anything like this; not even close."

The 492nd FS is nicknamed the "Madhatters" due to its tradition of wearing headgear unique to the country in which the squadron is based.

"We were wearing berets in France. When we landed in England, our squadron commander decided the beret was no longer appropriate, so we adopted the bowler hat," said Colonel Wright. "The bowler became a little unwieldy on the flightline so we eventually used those as party hats when we had formal squadron get-togethers."

Colonel Wright was the guest speaker for the event. He spoke of history, tradition and great memories with the 492nd FS.

"The nickname 'Playboy' was given to me because at the time I was a bachelor and I was driving a Mercedes 300SL, a big sports car, so it just kind of came natural," he said.

The unit has been notably instrumental to NATO and U.S. Air Forces in Europe in many combat and support roles. It was named the Outstanding Fighter Squadron in USAFE for 1986 and has helped the 48th Fighter Wing receive an outstanding in this year's operational readiness inspection.

"The 492nd FS has been involved in every major combat operation since the end of the Cold War," said Colonel Suminsby. "We were involved going all the way back to the Libya raid in 1986 to Desert Storm, night flight operations in the Balkans, Northern Watch to Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. There is nothing that has gone on in this half of the globe that this squadron hasn't been involved in."

The squadron set the standard for "Anywhere, Anytime" becuase of how it executed combat missions from RAF Lakenheath.

Colonel Wright said, "The saying 'Anywhere, Anytime' came about because we were a squadron who was willing to pack it up and go wherever, whenever we were needed."

The squadron, like its sister units, has one the longest uninterrupted histories in the Air Force.

"The 492nd was originally known as 55th Bombardment Squadron and was activated in January 1941. It was redesignated as the 492nd Fighter-Bomber Squadron in August 1943," said Bill Harris, command historian for Air Force Global Strike Command. "After deactivation in November 1945, the squadron was reactivated at Chaumont (Air Base), France, in July 1952, before transferring to RAF Lakenheath in 1960."

Continuing with its great success, the Pilot and Weapons Systems Officer Warrior awards were given out at the ball.

"This award is special to its recipients because it is voted on by the squadron, on who best exemplifies what it means to be a Bolar," said Capt. Jaina Donberg, 492nd chief of standardization and evaluation.

Capt. Jonathan Bott, 492nd Weapon Systems Officer instructor, won the WSO Warrior award, and Capt. Matthew Cisar, 492nd assistant chief of Weapons and Tactics, won the Pilot Warrior award.

Lt. Col. Clinton Mixon, 492nd FS commander, is proud of this year's winners and the 492nd as a whole.

"I'm proud to be the commander of the 492nd because of the squadron's long heritage and outstanding performance. The squadron has provided 'Lethal Diplomacy' for the U.S. since 1940. It's an honor to carry on that tradition and serve my country in this fashion," said Colonel Mixon.

Those who attended the 70th anniversary left with a renewed respect for the 'Madhatters.'

"It was a terrific evening," said Colonel Suminsby. "The setting at RAF Duxford's museum was perfect, and the program honored the incredible arc of combat aviation history in which the Madhatters have played an important role. Listening to Colonel Wright, who flew one of the squadron's aircraft from France to Lakenheath in 1960, gave today's young officers a tangible link to that proud heritage. My hat is off to the Bolars for hosting a first class celebration!"