“White 4” P-40K Warhawk “Konkubine” of the 25th Fighter Squadron, 51st Fighter Group, getting prepped for a mission with a 1,000-pound centerline bomb, ca 1943. From left to right; Private Anthony Zinkevich, Private Frank Bussell, Tech Sergeant Thomas Collins, Staff Sergeant Lynn Hansen, and Lieutenant Robert McClurg– who carries a Gurkha kukri at the ready and wears a CBI “blood chit” on his back.
This picture, taken 14th April 1943, appeared in the November 1943 edition of “Impact” magazine, but, noticeably, the 25th continued to fly Warhawks into 1945. Photo via NARA
Formed as the 25th Pursuit Squadron at Hamilton Field, Calif., on Jan. 15, 1941, by July the squadron received its first P-40s and by March 1942 had sailed around the globe to set up wartime operations in British India. Setting up shop in Assam, India the 25th picked up the name “Assam Draggins.”
As noted by the USAF:
The 25th Fighter Squadron’s first real moment of glory began in February 1943 when the unit was tasked to defend Fort Hertz near Myikina. Fort Hertz was a vital cog in air operations near “the Hump.” The 25th bombed and strafed enemy troops, concentrations, supply dumps, bridges, and enemy communication lines for twelve consecutive days, but failed to slow the Japanese advance on Fort Hertz. B-25 heavy bombers were needed to halt the enemy’s drive, but none were available. Lt. Col. John E. Barr, the executive officer for the 51st Fighter Group, modified a P-40 to carry 1,000-pound bombs, and by May 1943, had halted the Japanese offensive.
The 25th Fighter Squadron encountered more combat activity than any other unit within the 51st Fighter Group during the war. The squadron returned to the United States and was inactivated on Dec. 12, 1945.
Post-war, they flew F-80s, F-86s, and F-4s, switching to the A-10 in 1982, which they currently operate out of Osan Air Base, South Korea.