Air Force

492nd Fighter Squadron Celebrates 75 Years!

Happy Monday, FighterSweep Fans! We know it’s, for some, the most dreaded day of the week. To that we say “Nonsense!” It is the opportunity to attack your week and your respective to-do lists with renewed vigor and purpose! And you’re looking for motivation, we bring that to you now, courtesy of the 492nd Fighter Squadron.

The 492nd is officially known as the “Madhatters,” and to those of us in the community, they’re just the “Bolars.” A fantastic group of Americans stationed at RAF Lakenheath in England, part of the 48th Fighter Wing and under the leadership covering of our friend Colonel Rob “Blend’r” Novotny. These men and women fly the mighty Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, and to great effect.

We are proud to say the Bolars just celebrated their 75th Anniversary, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to share with you the video put together by the squadron to honor that milestone. It is truly a testament to the squadron’s rich history, as well as a stronger tribute to the United States of America.

A Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle from the 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters” lands at Nellis Air Force Base following a Red Flag sortie. (Photo by Jason Hyatt)

Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a mosquito with a sledgehammer, and we say that because it is–in essence–what President Reagan did in driving home his point. We can’t speak for everyone, but for ourselves, listening to him talk about freedom and our responsibilities as the greatest nation on earth make us proud to stand beneath the Stars and Stripes. So again, if you’re looking for motivation, look no further.

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Happy Monday, FighterSweep Fans! We know it’s, for some, the most dreaded day of the week. To that we say “Nonsense!” It is the opportunity to attack your week and your respective to-do lists with renewed vigor and purpose! And you’re looking for motivation, we bring that to you now, courtesy of the 492nd Fighter Squadron.

The 492nd is officially known as the “Madhatters,” and to those of us in the community, they’re just the “Bolars.” A fantastic group of Americans stationed at RAF Lakenheath in England, part of the 48th Fighter Wing and under the leadership covering of our friend Colonel Rob “Blend’r” Novotny. These men and women fly the mighty Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle, and to great effect.

We are proud to say the Bolars just celebrated their 75th Anniversary, and we’re delighted to have the opportunity to share with you the video put together by the squadron to honor that milestone. It is truly a testament to the squadron’s rich history, as well as a stronger tribute to the United States of America.

A Boeing F-15E Strike Eagle from the 492nd Fighter Squadron “Madhatters” lands at Nellis Air Force Base following a Red Flag sortie. (Photo by Jason Hyatt)

Sometimes it is entirely appropriate to kill a mosquito with a sledgehammer, and we say that because it is–in essence–what President Reagan did in driving home his point. We can’t speak for everyone, but for ourselves, listening to him talk about freedom and our responsibilities as the greatest nation on earth make us proud to stand beneath the Stars and Stripes. So again, if you’re looking for motivation, look no further.

We’re happy to stand with our Bolar brethren as they press ahead into their next twenty-five years of dedicated service, and we look forward to seeing what the future holds.

Dropping Bombs.

Dropping Buildings.

Bolar Standard.

(Featured Photo by Jason Hyatt)
About Scott Wolff View All Posts

is the host, editor, and also a contributor to FighterSweep. He joined a well-known aviation lifestyle publication in early 2010 as a photographer, and a year later started writing feature articles. Since then, he has moved into a managing editor position at that publication. He holds a private pilot certificate and draws on his experience as a flight operations director in the airshow industry, as

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