85th Fighter Group
| 85th Fighter Group | |
|---|---|
An F-35A Lightning II preparing for air refueling | |
| Active | 1942–1944, 1952–1993, 1994–2006; 2024–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Air Force |
| Role | Fighter training |
| Part of | Air Education and Training Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Ebbing Air National Guard Base |
| Motto | Guardians of the North (1955-2006) Coup de Main (French for 'A Sudden (Unexpected) Attack') (1942-1944) |
| Decorations | Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Air Force Organizational Excellence Award |
| Insignia | |
| 85th Group emblem | |
| 85th bombardment Group emblem | |
The 85th Fighter Group is an active United States Air Force organization, stationed at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, Arkansas, as an active associate of the 188th Wing, Arkansas Air National Guard. It serves as a training unit for countries using the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II and the General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcon.
The first predecessor of the group was organized in 1942 as the 85th Bombardment Group. It served as a training unit and participated in military exercises until it was disbanded in a general reorganization of Army Air Forces units in the spring of 1944.
The second predecessor of the group was organized in 1952 as the Iceland Air Defense Force. Except for a brief period in the early 1980s, it served as the United States' air defense headquarters in Iceland until inactivating in 2006.