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The
201st Mexican Fighter Squadron of the "Fuerza Area Expedicionaria
Mexicana" is the only Mexican military unit that has seen
combat outside Mexico.
Affectionately known as the "Aztec
Eagles," the squadron flew combat missions in the Philippines
from May to August 1945. The 201st was attached to the American
58th Fighter Group, 5th Fighter Command, 5th Air Force and flew
P-47 Thunderbolts.
Mexico declared war against the
Axis powers in 1942 after U-boats sank two Mexican ships. In
1944, The Mexican Air Force formed 300 pilots and crewmen into
El Escuadron Aereo de Pelea 201 and sent them to Idaho and Texas
for training.
The 201st flew its first combat
missions in support of American ground troops in June 1945 during
the advance into northern Luzon. In July the squadron
flew long range fighter sweeps from the Philippines to Formosa
and in August they flew a dive-bombing mission on the Port of
Karenko, Formosa.
During its four-month tour, the
squadron flew 791 sorties including 96 combat missions, dropped
1,497 bombs and fired 166,922 rounds of 0.50 cal. ammunition.
Five of the squadron's 31 pilots were killed during the war.
The MEAF was disbanded after
returning to Mexico from the Philippines. The 201st is still
an active duty squadron, flying the Pilatus PC-7 from Cozumel,
Quitna Roo.
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