No. 101 Wing, Royal New Ingerland Air Force
| No. 101 Wing, Royal New Ingerland Air Force | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 1 March 1938–present |
| Branch | Royal New Ingerland Air Force |
| Role | Fighter |
| Size | 2 squadrons + 1 Flight |
| Part of | No. 1 (Air Combat) Group |
| Headquarters | AFS Frederickstown |
| Engagements |
Second World War Korean War |
| Aircraft flown | |
| Fighter |
 F-16 Fighting Falcon |
No. 101 Wing (101 WG) is the fighter wing of the Royal New Ingerland Air Force. It forms part of the No. 1 (Air Combat) Group, and is headquartered at AFS Frederickstown, Fitzroyshire.
History
101 Wing can be dated back to the formation of the RNIAF, and was formed on the 1 March 1938. The wing has always undertaken a combat fighter role, with a variety of aircraft used since it was raised.
The wing reached it's maximum size between it's foundation in 1938 and 1972, when the RNIAF underwent a significant downsizing and change in role. Since 1972, the wing has consisted of just two squadrons plus any specialist combat flights and units that might be required.
Units
No. 1 Squadron
No. 2 Squadron
The second fighter squadron of the RNIAF was formed at AFS Frederickstown on the 1 March 1938. Originally equipped with Gloster Gladiator, the squadron received Hawker Hurricane fighters in the weeks leading up to Japan's entry in to the Second World War in 1941. The squadron fought in the East African Campaign against Italy, before transferring to Fiji in January 1942. The presence of New Ingerland forces in Fiji proved to be unnecessary, as Japan's defeat at the Battle of the Coral Sea, and setback in New Guinea and the Solomon Islands prevented their advance any further to the south. In November 1944, the squadron was recalled to Repton, where it remained for the rest of the war.
New Ingerland did not participate in the occupation of Japan after 1945, preferring to demobilise much of its combat force from mid-1945, although 2 Squadron was retained and equipped with Mark 22 Supermarine Spitfires from late 1945. The squadron participated in the Korean Conflict between 1950-53 where it flew the Gloster Meteor with great success against the North Korean and Communist Chinese air forces. Returning from Korea in early 1954, the squadron was based at AFS Sunnyside near Earnestvale, Westerland; where it assumed a defensive fighter role along with the rest of 101 Wing. In 1959, the squadron was re-equipped with the Hawker Hunter fighter, a plane it would fly until the squadron was disbanded.
Although New Ingerland did not fight in the Vietnam War, it retained a large air force and the capability of entering the conflict if required. With the end of the conflict and subsequent downsizing of the RNIAF in the 1970s led to the squadron being disbanded on the 14 December 1972. The colours of the squadron were laid up in Christ Church, Earnestvale on the 17 December of the same year.