The origins The
1re Escadrille de Chasse was founded in February 1916 as the first dedicated squadron of the Aviation Militaire Belge. It drew upon the men and equipment of the previously existing provisional Escadrille I. In August 1917, upon receiving the new
Hanriot-Dupont 1 aircraft, the first version of the famous “Thistle” symbol was designed by
André de Meulemeester as the squadron's insignia, to be painted on the aircraft. He also selected the squadron motto “
Nemo me impune lacessit” or “No-one can challenge me unpunished”. In March 1918, it would be reorganized into the
9ème Escadrille.
Aerodromes / Airbases •
Coxyde: February 1916 - June 1916 •
Les Moeres: June 1916 - March 1918 • Florennes : 1947 - 1971 • Bierset : 1971 - 1989 • Florennes : 1989 - Present
Notable personnel in the markings of 1st Squadron. •
André de Meulemeester • Fernand Jacquet •
Jan Olieslagers •
Willy Coppens •
F-16 Fighting Falcon •
F-35A Lightning II (since 13 October 2025)
Operations At the start of
World War I, Belgium was neutral. An overwhelming invasion by the
German army left Belgium partially occupied by the end of 1914, with its preserved territory shielded by deliberate defensive flooding at
Nieuwpoort by the Belgians. As a result, the Aviation Militaire Belge was based in the diminished remnant of a small country, and performed largely in a static defensive mode. Captain
Fernand Jacquet and Lieutenant Louis Robin scored the squadron's first victory on 20 May 1916. It would claim 52 aerial victories and be credited with 15, at a blood cost of five Belgian pilots
killed in action and one accidental death. ==Present day==