U.S. SABRE JETS FOR R.A.F.

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26513, 30 August 1951, Page 7

U.S. SABRE JETS FOR R.A.F.

FIRST SQUADRON IN BRITAIN RONDON, August 28. A squadron of 25 United States Sabre jet fighters which landed at the Royal Air Force station at Shepherd’s Grove, Suffolk, is the first of three squadrons which will be based in England to train with the Royai Air Force. It is also the first unit of a foreign air force to form an integral part of Britain’s air defence. The Sabres, piloted by American reservists recalled to full-time duty, flew the North Atlantic via Greenland and Iceland, It was the first trans-Atlantic flight by a United States fighter interceptor formation. Welcoming them at the aerodrome, the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Air Vice-Marshal C. E. M. Guest) said that the flight demonstrated that the defences of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation could be speedilv reinforced by a Sabre wing from America at fairly short notice.

"The Royal Air Force Command is strong, an-i it is getting stronger." he said. “We have jets, but the Sabres will enable us to assess the value of a reallv high performance machine." A United States Air Force spokesman said that the squadron had b<»°n assigned to Britain for an indefinite period. Two other combat 'quad’-ons —both regular units —would follow soon. He recalled that the Sabre in September, 1948, set up an official world speed record of 870.98 miles an hour.