61st Fighter Squadron change of command
Lt. Col. Philippe Malebranche speaks to the audience after taking command of the 61st Fighter Squadron from Lt. Col. James Sears during a ceremony Monday in Hangar 485. Colonel Malebranche served previously at U.S. Forces Korea, Yongsan Army Garrison, as a political-military planning officer and chief of international relations. In May 2007, he returned to Luke for F-16 requalification and instructor pilot upgrade and served as 56th Training Squadron director of operations. He is originally from San Francisco, Calif.
The 61st FS dates back to 1940 when it was constituted as the 61st Pursuit Squadron Nov. 20. It was activated Jan. 15, 1941, in Savannah, Ga., and reactivated at Luke April 1, 1994. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. William Gomez.)