| 17th Weapons Squadron | |
|---|---|
 17th Weapons Squadron F-15E Strike Eagle[note 1] | |
| Founded | 1917 |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Air Force |
| Type | Squadron |
| Role | Advanced F-15E Strike Eagle Training |
| Part of | Air Combat Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Nellis AFB, Nevada |
| Nickname(s) | Hooters |
| Motto(s) | Who Said Rats? (147th Aero Squadron)[1] |
| Tail Code | "WA" |
| Engagements | World War I Southwest Pacific Theater Vietnam War Desert Storm |
| Decorations | Distinguished Unit Citation Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Combat "V" Device Air Force Outstanding Unit Award Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Philippine Presidential Unit Citation |
| Insignia | |
| 17th Weapons Squadron emblem (approved 28 February 2004)[2] |  |
| 17th Tactical Fighter Squadron emblem (approved 28 February 1984) |  |
| Patch with unofficial 17th Wild Weasel Squadron emblem |  |
| 17 Pursuit Squadron emblem (approved 3 March 1924)[3][note 2] |  |
| 17th Aero Squadron emblem (approved 18 November 1918)[1] |  |
| 147th Aero Squadron emblem (approved 18 November 1918)[1] |  |
The 17th Weapons Squadron is a United States Air Force unit, assigned to the USAF Weapons School at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada.
The squadron traces its lineage to the United States Army Air Service's 17th and 147th Aero Squadrons, both of which were active during World War I. The 147th was redesignated the 17th Pursuit Squadron in the post-war Air Service and later consolidated with the 17th Aero Squadron in 1936 to preserve the history of both pursuit units. The 17th Aero Squadron was activated in August 1917 and earned 13 campaign streamers in France flying the Sopwith Camel. The 147th Aero Squadron was organized in November 1917 and flew the Nieuport 28 and SPAD S.XIII fighters, earning eight streamers.
During World War II, the 17th Pursuit Squadron participated in the defense of the Philippines flying the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and garnering the first American Ace of World War II. Wiped out during the Battle of the Philippines, some of its squadron members endured the Bataan Death March. Reactivated during the Vietnam War, the squadron went on to fly Republic F-105F Thunderchief Wild Weasel aircraft, and in Operation Desert Storm flying the General Dynamics F-16C Fighting Falcon.
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