155° Gruppo 'Pantere Nere'

Italy » Air Force

Nato Tiger Association Membership: Former NTA Member

History:

Established on January 15th, 1941 at Ciampino-Sud airbase, the 155th Squadron was initially equipped with the Fiat G-50 Bis. The Squadron was repeatedly on operations in several North African bases until December 1941.
In march 1942 the Squadron received the Macchi MC-202 "Folgore". transferred to Gela/Sicily and after a short but very busy period on Pantelleria, was sent to El Alouna (Libya) before returning to Ciampino.
In the spring of 1943 the Squadron received the new Macchi MC-205 "Veltro" and moved to Monserrato (Sardinia). After the Armistice in octobre 1943 the Squadron trasferred to Galatina and by july 1947 155 gruppo had moved to Treviso airbase. September 1950 found the Squadron equipped with the P-51 Mustang. In june 1951, after being posted to Ghedi airbase, they received their first jet-planes, the DH-100 "Vampire" until it was replaced in february 1956 by the F-84G.
The "Red Devils" acrobatic team was formed the following year and the pilots of 155 Squadron were selected.
When the 50th Wing (50 stormo) was reformed in 1964 the Squadron was moved to Piacenza/San Damiano airbase and in 1971 was equipped with the F-104 Starfighter. In 1973 the Squadron was incorporated into the 51th Wing based at Istrana.
1984 saw the move back to Ghedi and the introduction of the MRCA Tornado.
In July 1990 the Squadron returned to Piacenza airbase and in January and Februery 1991 was deployed for operation "Desert Storm" for the liberation of Kuwait. Operation "Sharp Guard" followed between July 1993 and August 1995.
February 1995 found the Squadron changing its role from C.B.O.C. (All Weather Conventional Bomber) to E.T.S. (Electronic Warfare Tactical Suppression) and the aircrew began training on the Tornado ECR, using the HARM missile.
In February 1998 the first ECR Tornado arrived at Piacenza. From July 1998 the squadron was active in the operation "Deliberate Force" over Bosnia and Herzegovina before taking part in the operation "Allied Force" over Kosovo in march 1999. Due to its specialised role and heavy workload, It requested to the NTA Counsil to become a Honorary Mamber i.s.o. a Full Member of the Nato Tiger Assosiation, which was granted by the council.

Past Aircraft:

• Fiat G-50 "Freccia"
• Macchi MC.202 "Folgore"
• Macchi MC.205 "Veltro"
• Supermarine Spitfire" IX
• North American F-51D "Mustang"
• De havilland DH100 "Vampire"
• Republic F-84G "Thunderjet"
• Republic F-84F "Thunderstreak"
• Aeritalia F-104S "Starfighter"