Taktisches Luftwaffengeschwader 71 "Richthofen"
| Jagdgeschwader 71 "Richthofen" (Fighter Wing 71) | |
|---|---|
 Coat of arms of Jagdgeschwader 71 | |
| Active | 6 June 1959-Present |
| Country | Federal Republic of Germany |
| Branch | German Air Force (Luftwaffe) |
| Role | Air Defence, Rapid Deployment, NATO Command Force |
| Part of | 4th Air Force Division (4. Luftwaffendivision) |
| Garrison/HQ | Wittmund |
| Equipment | F-4 Phantom II |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Colonel (Oberst) Christian Badia |
| Notable commanders | Erich Hartmann, Günther Josten |
Jagdgeschwader 71 (JG71) was West Germany's first operational jet fighter unit. The unit was formed in June 1959, equipped with 50 Canadair Sabre Mk.6s and stationed at the former RAF Ahlhorn. The highest-scoring fighter pilot of all time, Erich Hartmann, flew the Canadair Sabre (reputedly his favorite fighter plane design), and aircraft such as the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter, in the newly formed wing in the late 1950s.
On 21 April 1961, the 43rd anniversary of the death of “Red Baron” Rittmeister Manfred Von Richthofen, JG 71 was given the honorary title of “Richthofen” by Federal President Heinrich Lübke. In 1961, JG 71 transferred from Ahlhorn to Wittmund.
May 1963 saw the introduction of the first F-104 Starfighters into Luftwaffe service. In 1974 the Wing obtained its first F-4F Phantom II's and on 19 September 1974 the unit's Starfighters were decommissioned. In 1988 the Wing's secondary role of Fighter Bomber Attack was given up so that JG 71 is now exclusively a Figher Wing.
Jagdgeschwader 71 during World War II
There was also a Jagdgeschwader 71 serving in the Luftwaffe for a short while during World War II. It consisted of I. Group (I. Gruppe), with a staff (Gruppenstab) and two squadrons. It was created on 16 July 1939 in Schleissheim, and served until redesignated II./JG 51 in October.