The Aztec Eagles: Mexico’s Elite Squadron That Took on WWII

The Aztec Eagles

History remembers warriors, and the 201st Fighter Squadron—Escuadrón Aéreo de Pelea 201—was exactly that. Known as the Águilas Aztecas (Aztec Eagles), these men weren’t just pilots; they were a force of nature. The only Mexican military unit to see combat overseas in World War II, they proved that Mexico had both the skill and the firepower to stand with the world’s best. Mexico had no intention of entering WWII—until German U-boats made the mistake of sinking two Mexican oil tankers in 1942. That was all the reason President Manuel Ávila Camacho needed. With war declared on the Axis powers, Mexico didn’t just send supplies or money—it sent warriors. The 201st Fighter Squadron was formed, trained, and deployed. Over 300 volunteers—pilots, mechanics, and ground crew—headed to the United States for elite combat training. The 30 fighter pilots who made the cut trained under the best at Randolph Field, Majors Field, and Foster Army Airfield in Texas, where they mastered formation flying, gunnery, and combat tactics. When they finished, they weren’t just ready—they were dangerous. In April 1945, the squadron landed in the Philippines, assigned to the legendary 58th Fighter Group of the U.S. Fifth Air Force. Their weapon of choice? The P-47 Thunderbolt—a beast of a fighter plane built for speed, power, and destruction. And destroy, they did.

For four months, the Aztec Eagles launched over 90 combat missions, flying through enemy fire, bombing Japanese strongholds in Luzon and Formosa, and diving straight into the action. They provided air support for U.S. and Philippine guerrilla forces, wiped out enemy vehicles, anti-aircraft guns, and supply depots, and ran missions that left thousands of enemy troops out of the fight.

Not every pilot made it back. Some were shot down, some crashed, others ran out of fuel over open waters. Yet they never backed down. The Aztec Eagles flew with a level of skill and fearlessness that earned the respect of their American counterparts—and of General Douglas MacArthur himself. By the time they completed their final mission in August 1945, the war was ending, and the Aztec Eagles had cemented their legacy. They returned home as heroes, landing in Mexico City on November 18, 1945. In a grand military parade at the Zócalo, they presented their battle flag to President Ávila Camacho, a symbol of victory, sacrifice, and unmatched skill. The 201st Fighter Squadron didn’t just fight—they dominated. To this day, their name lives on in Mexico City’s Metro Escuadrón 201 station, in the 1945 film "Escuadrón 201," and in history books as one of Latin America’s fiercest fighting units. In 2004, the Philippines awarded them the Philippine Legion of Honor for their valor.

Though WWII ended, the squadron never truly faded. It remains active today, flying Pilatus PC-7 aircraft, ready for whatever comes next.

The Aztec Eagles weren’t just pilots—they were warriors, legends, and a testament to Mexico’s place in the history of aerial combat.