3/3/2010 - DAYTON, Ohio (AFNS) – National Museum of the Air Force officials revealed a new exhibit Feb. 26 here dedicated to Mexican airmen who fought alongside U.S. forces in World War II.

Members of the Mexican air force Escuadron 201, commonly referred to as the Aztec Eagles, are featured in the exhibit. “The Mexican Air Force,” is part of the growing display of the “Airmen in a World at War” exhibit.

Mexican officials declared war against Japan, Germany and Italy May 28, 1942, and Mexican servicemembers fought alongside the U.S. forces in the South Pacific during World War II. Manuel Avila Camacho, the President of Mexico during World War II, accepted a U.S. invitation to provide Mexican air force units in the war against Japan after breaking off diplomatic relations with those countries shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Terry Aitken, the senior curator of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, noted that these treatise included agreements for the unlimited reciprocal use of airfields and facilities as well as the establishment by the U.S. Army Air Forces of a number of bases in Mexico to train personnel.

In the summer of 1945, airmen from the Mexican air force flew combat missions along with their American allies. Mexico’s Escuadron 201, equipped with Republic P-47D Thunderbolt fighter aircraft, distinguished themselves in providing close-air-support to American ground units as well as long-range bombing strikes deep into Japanese held territory.

“The outstanding work made my those men (Escuadron 201) demonstrated that good things can only be achieved with leadership, teamwork and sacrifice, fighting side-by-side and shoulder-to-shoulder,” said Lt. Col. Jose Nunez, Mexico’s Foreign Liaison Officer from the Air Force Security Assistance Center at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, during the exhibit opening ceremony.

This unit of 33 pilots and more than 270 support personnel, along with a Mexican expeditionary air force (Fuerza Aérea Expedicionaria Mexicana) headquarters, moved to the Philippine Islands in February 1945. In March of 1945, Escuadron 201 members were attached to the U.S. 5th Air Force and the 58th Fighter Group which was based at Porac, Luzon in the Philippine Islands. The 58th Fighter Group merged the Escuadron 201 into combat operations and provided support to the new unit during its first combat missions.

In early July 1945, 58th Fighter Group members deployed to Okinawa, Japan, and Escuadron 201 members assumed responsibility for air operations in their area. The airmen provided close-in-ground support to the advancing U.S. 25th “Tropic Lightning” Division and Philippine Army units on Luzon, and seven-hour long-range fighter strikes on strategic Japanese targets on the island of Taiwan.

Retired Lt. Col. Justino Reyes Retana, one of only three remaining Aztec Eagles from World War II, was unable to make the trip to the exhibit opening ceremony, however, his son, Lorenzo Reyes Retana, relayed a message on his behalf.
 
“I was honored to be recognized by the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force for the work which the Aztec Eagles did, and this space will serve as a reminder of our efforts and job we did for generations to come,” he said. 

During its operational history, Escuadron 201 airmen flew 795 combat sorties, accumulated nearly 2,000 hours of combat flying and lost seven pilots. The Escuadron 201 remains the only military unit in the history of Mexico to engage in combat outside of its national borders.

Source: USAF
(U.S. Air Force photo)