File:192d Fighter-Bomber Squadron, North American F-51D-25-NA Mustang, sn. 44-74959.jpg

One of the last overseas deployments of a F-51D Mustang unit by the U.S. Air Force was in late 1952 when 25 aircraft of the 131st Fighter-Bomber Group (FBG), were assigned to the Iceland Defense Force (IDF) at Keflavik air base in Iceland. Most of the 25 Mustangs came from the 192d Fighter-Bomber Squadron (FBS), Nevada Air National Guard (NEV-ANG), with fillers from the 110th FBS, Missouri Air National Guard (MO-ANG) and 170th FBS, Illinois Air National Guard (ILL-ANG), as no squadron in the 131st had the originally required number of 35 airplanes to be readied for the mission.

The photograph shows a lineup of the IDF Mustangs at the Keflavik AB (the only identifiable serial number is 44-74959 / FF-959). Distinctive "arctic-red" markings were applied to all IDF-Mustangs before their transfer from USA to Iceland. This included the painting of the outer wingspan, fuselage aft end, and tail empennage (minus control surfaces) in Insignia Red. The sliding canopy frame, propeller spinner, and tips of wings and tail empennage were Dark Insignia Blue (the standard color trim for the 192nd FBS). The windshield fame and the anti-glare panels (between the propeller and the windshield) were black and some Olive Drab (often not distinguishable from black in color photos). Some aircraft had stainless steel panels around the exhaust stacks painted glossy black for easy cleaning. The landing gear strut fairings had a 6 inch color at the panel bottom for separate flight identity, blue, red, and yellow. The panels over the filtered air intakes on the lower nose were painted red.

According to written personal notes from Col. Robert W. Gruenhagen (flight chief, line chief, and quality control inspector of the F-51 Mustangs stationed at Keflavik airbase in 1952) the deployment procedure was as follows:

"P/F-51 assignment, Iceland

During august 27, 1952, 35 Mustangs were readied for launch from George AFB, Victorville, California with destination og Keflavik, Iceland by 1 September, 1952. The aircraft were prepared in A/W T.O. 00-25-4 for overseas transfer and modified with APX-6 transponders to provide the latest IFF capability.

Two groups of 17 and 18 aircraft were flown across the U.S. in a northern and southern routing through bases coordinated for en-route support. Two C-119 aircraft were manned with 15 man crews to follow the flights and repair ant turn and launch the Mustangs at each base. Intend was to reach the east coast with 30 aircraft and proceed on with the best 25 for the final destination. The serials listed below were in place in Keflavik and on alert by 15 September of 1952.

The aircraft were assigned to the 192 Ftr Bmr Sqdn. (TAC) with support crews made up from three squadrons of the 146 Ftr Bmr Wg, the 178th, 186th and 190th.

Serial: 44-72708 44-73788 44-74482 44-74880 44-74845 44-74717 44-73769 44-74586 44-74963 44-72843 44-74377 44-74522 44-84769 44-74382* 44-73996 44-73826 44-74870 44-73409 44-74317 44-74811 44-84834 44-74975 44-74959 44-74368 45-11364

The aircraft served until April, 1953 and were replaced by F-94B interceptors assigned to the 82nd FIS. The Mustang unit designation changed to the 436th Ftr Sqdn on 1 December, 1952.

The Mustangs were flown to England, (Renfrew) and transferred to AMC at Brookley field, Mobile Alabama and eventually to Norton AFB Sam Bernardino California were they were scrapped in May of 1954.

*) 44-74382 was left at BW-1 (Narssasuak, Greenland) enroute for an engine change which was completed in one week. A B-26 Navigation aircraft accompanied the Mustangs on all the overwater legs and the later pick-up of 382.

The final jet equipped unit remaining in Iceland was designated the 57th FIS. And equipped with F-89C interceptors in October of 1954. The 435th returned to George AFB and was established as a regular Air Force Squadron equipped with F-86F aircraft. Except for a few remaining on active duty, the three support units returned to Air National Status.

During this period, the Mustang units in Korea were converted to jet aircraft with the mustangs being assigned to the ROK air Force and these units along with the Icelandic units were the last overseas assignment of the Mustang with the USAF.

This form checked 15 April, 2008. R. W. Gruenhagen."
(Included a RWG correction, 16 August, 2017)

NB. At the time of the arrival of the Mustang unit in Keflavik on 1st of September 1952 the unit was part of the 131st Fighter-Bomber Group FBG. The Mustang unit designation changed to the 436th FS on the 1st of December 1952. The designation was changed again to 435th FBS on the 2nd of December 1952 and remained so until the end of the Iceland deployment in the spring of 1953.

Further sources of information on the Mustang deployment and photographs showing the IDF Mustangs in Keflavik, Iceland, can be found in the following books:

1. Col. Robert W. Gruenhagen: "Mustang – The Story of the P-51 Fighter" Arco, N.Y., Revised edition, 1976, ISBN-10: 0668039124, ISBN-13: 978-0668039123

Sleeve notes from his book state the following about the author: "Col. Robert W. Gruenhagen, USAF (Retired) began his military service in 1947. His long and active career included the 186th Fighter Squadron, SAC, TAC, and the Icelandic Defense Force. He is a member of the Air Force Association, the American Aviation Historical Society, and the Association of P-51 Historians and Enthusiasts. He serves as consultant and advisor with matters related to historic aircraft during the World War II. He is the author of Mustang: The Story of the P-51 Fighter and a well-known expert on the P-51. Among his numerous decorations and awards, Col. Gruenhagen received the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, and the Texas State Meritorious Service Award."

2. Jeffrey L. Ethell: "P-51 Mustang, A Documentary History", Jane's Publishing, UK 1981, ISBN 10: 0710600704, ISBN 13: 9780710600707
Jeffrey was the son of Major Ervin "Erv" C. Ethell (1920-2003) who commanded the IDF-Mustangs during the first half of their seven month service time in Iceland before being replaced by F-94B interceptors assigned to the 82nd FIS.

3. Nicholas M. Williams: "Aircraft of the United States' Military Air Transport Service, 1948–1966", Midland Publishing Ltd. UK, 1999, ISBN-10: 1 85780 087 7, ISBN-13: 978-1857800876

4. David W. Menard: "USAF Plus Fifteen: A Photo History 1947-62", Schiffer Publishing, Ltd., USA, 2004, ISBN-10: 0887404839, ISBN-13: 978-088740483

Other files on Wikimedia Commons relating to the the 192d Fighter-Bomber Squadron Mustangs of the Iceland Defense Force (IDF) are: